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She said she was “appalled” that a government-funded public broadcaster would be so careless with its depictions of Indian culture. Bhowmick added the French CBC’s response to the criticism made matters worse, and she is considering filing an official complaint.

Photo by Radio-Canada/Facebook

Radio-Canada posted the sketch on its Facebook page Jan. 1, and it has received more than 68,000 views and hundreds of reactions. In addition to the criticism, there have been comments from people wondering what the fuss was all about.

The broadcaster said its intention “was in no way to disrespect the Indian community or Indian traditions or culture.” Writing on Facebook, it said the creators of the skit “were poking fun at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his apparent fondness for superficially ’embracing’ traditional Indian culture via his clothes and, of course, his dancing to traditional Indian music in February.”

Bhowmick said the response ignores the impact of the spoof on Indo-Canadians. “If there are so many of us who are not feeling good about this, then there must be a legitimate reason, and the trick is to listen,” she said.

Photo by Radio-Canada/Facebook

She also said she didn’t understand why so many pundits in Canada ridiculed Trudeau and his family for wearing traditional Indian clothing during last February’s visit to the country. The prime minister’s Montreal riding comprises a significant Indian-Canadian population, she said, and Trudeau has for years attended events in the community, sometimes wearing traditional clothing.

While Radio-Canada’s sketch was an example of cultural appropriation, Trudeau’s traditional dress is not, she said.

“There is a difference between appropriation and appreciation,” Bhowmick said.

The Prime Minister’s Office had “no comment” on the controversy, a spokesperson said Thursday.