Bali’s provincial government has summoned the management of Atlas Super Club following concerns that the nightclub’s use of a sacred Hindu symbol in its visual displays may have disrespected religious values.
The move comes after a similar incident involving FINNS Beach Club, which faced backlash for a fireworks display that disrupted a Hindu ceremony.
“This should serve as a lesson for business owners to be more careful with their innovations in Bali because these symbols represent our Hindu religion, which is deeply revered,” Head of Bali’s Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun said.
Pemayun stressed that Atlas Super Club should have learned from the FINNS controversy, warning that failure to respect local cultural and religious values could harm not only the community but also the businesses themselves.
Response from Club
Atlas Beach Club’s Media Relations representative, Bayu Adi, explained that the visual was created by an artist drawing inspiration from Bali’s culture and environment, with no intention of disrespecting or desecrating cultural or religious elements.
Bayu added that incorporating cultural elements into visual art for nightclubs is a common practice worldwide, citing Goa Trance from India as an example of a genre that has gained global recognition. The visual artist at Atlas adopted a similar concept as a form of artistic appreciation, he expressed.
Businesses Urged to Respect Cultural Tourism
Bali’s tourism office urged tourism entrepreneurs to adhere to regulations and uphold the island’s cultural tourism principles, rather than undermining them.
“If businesses respect local values, they will gain full support from the Balinese people. If they violate them, sanctions will follow,” Pemayun said.
Authorities will investigate the nightclub’s use of Lord Shiva’s image to determine the extent of the violation.
“A written warning will be issued, and further sanctions could follow depending on the findings. There is a structured process, starting with a first warning, then stricter measures if necessary,” he added.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, Pemayun emphasized the importance of educating new nightclub operators about the sensitivities surrounding religious symbols and prohibitions in Hinduism.
