Friday, June 3 2005 10:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: A Hindu Human Rights Group in London has taken strong exception to the use of the image of Lord Ram at an objectionable place - products manufactured by a French company - and decided to hold a protest demonstration near the French Embassy in London on June 12.

"We call on the French Government to seriously look into discrimination against Hindus and Hinduism and take steps to rectify the situation because defamation leads to persecution," a spokesman of the Group said yesterday (Jun 2, 2005).

The group called upon community members and their friends to join the protest against the display of Lord Ram's image at the objectionable place by the French company.

"On its own, this may seem unimportant to non-Hindus. But France is a country that has had trouble even recognizing Hinduism as a valid religion," the spokesman said.

Indeed, the Hindu community finds it extremely difficult to even get planning permission to build and maintain their temples," he alleged.