It is officially confirmed that Snoop Dog is "not" a persona non-grata in Australia. He has got his Australian visa despite a petition to bar him from entering the country. The petition against the controversial rapper was initiated by a grass-root group called Collective Shout. The petitioners claim that his lyrics "glorify violence against women."

Scott Morrison, Australia's immigration minister, however, has ignored the calls to revoke Snoop Dog's visa. Morrison confirmed to the media that the government had given the rapper the permission to perform at the annual music festival, Big Day Out, which is scheduled to begin on Jan 19, 2014 in Auckland.

Collective Shout Out had written a letter to Mr Morrison, which stated "Snoop Dogg's lyrics glorify violence against women which puts all women in danger. His behaviour also contradicts our National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women."

"If you really care about women and girls, you will revoke his visa and deny him entry."

"Snoop Dogg has a visa," Mr Morrison said to reporters in Canberra, as quoted by The Australian.

The petition has more than 3000 signatures. Mr Morrison's confirmation is going to dishearten them.

Talitha Stone, an activist campaigner, has started the petition on Change.org, a week before Christmas. The Petition reads: "Snoop Dogg' (more recently 'Snoop Lion'), real name Calvin Broadus, promotes hate speech against women. He is famous for his misogynistic lyrics, referring to women as 'bitches' and 'hoes' who 'suck dick.' His songs include 'Break a bitch 'til the day I die' and 'Can you control yo hoe?"

Stone also writes in her petition that: "Welcoming artists like Snoop Dogg sends a message that we don't take our obligations to address violence against women seriously."

In a statement to Fairfax, a spokesman of the immigration ministry, said that Snoop Dogg's visa application has been assessed and visa issued as per the same "mandatory health and character requirements" that people wanting to visit Australia must meet.

The statement also said that the rapper has been warned and "any infringements will lead to visa cancellation."