Talks about the future of Apu are going around, as are apologies for the Controversy. This Indian and the Kwik-E-Mart have both been a great part of The Simpsons in the past 30 years, Catchphrase and Cultural Background included, pity it is though that who eventually became his wife was retired from the show following Jan Hooks' death in 2014 based on what the creators are like with The Simpsons characters. There's even more petitions like what I have here defending Apu might I add that I myself signed today:

*https://www.change.org/p/james-l-brooks-keep-apu-in-the-simpsons
*https://www.change.org/p/simpson-fans-save-apu-from-getting-removed-from-the-simpsons
*https://www.change.org/p/simpson-fans-around-the-world-i-want-apu-to-stay-on-the-simpsons