New Delhi: Bowing to countrywide criticism of its humiliating depiction of Mahatma Gandhi in an animated show, MTV US on January 31 tendered an unconditional apology to the people of India and the memory of the Father of the Nation.

"MTV US apologises if we have offended the people of India and the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. We have the utmost respect for Gandhi and all that he represents as a revered Indian leader and one of the most important figures in world history," the popular music channel said in statement.

It said "Clone High", its controversial series, which shows Gandhi's animated clone sporting earrings, was created for an American audience and there were no plans to air it on any other MTV channel outside the United States.

"The animated show parodies a number of important historical figures from around the world, including the United States, where this form of comedy is common.

"We recognise and respect that various cultures may view this programming differently, and we regret any offence taken by the content in the show," the release said.

An episode guide at the network's website described Gandhi as "stupid enough to take a swim in its piranha-infested moat," where 'Special Education' kids are ostracised and imprisoned.

Sarcastically describing the attempts as a part of the world's most expensive and ambitious cloning project, the website said the project is about a group of scientists creating clones from DNA extracts of dead people who have changed the course of human history.

PTI