Over a thousand Hindus from scores of organisations in the UK joined the protest against the French manufacturer Minelli and the call for expressing solidarity against religious intolerance in France at a rally organised by the Hindu Human Rights Group outside the French Embassy in London on June 12, 2005.
Protesters carrying colourful banners of Lord Rama raised slogans against Minelli and the French Government. They attracted attention of hundreds of passers-by with the chanting of hymns and devotional songs to the accompaniment of Indian drums and cymbals.
Expressing her gratitude to the thousands of individuals and numerous organisations who participated and supported the peaceful protest, Sheila Maharaja spokesperson for the Hindu Human Rights group said, "Bathed in the afternoon sun, Hindus from all walks of life joined us in a growing Hindu awakening to make it known that we will no longer stand for the defamation of Lord Rama and the persecution of Hindus anywhere in the world."
On Minelli's apparent offer to withdraw the infamous shoes from sale, she said, "Minelli have yet to respond to our reply let alone offer a full apology. We will not stop this campaign until they have made it clear that they recognise the offence that they have caused, acknowledge their responsibility in a public apology and outline how they intend to move forward from here. There are also the wider issues surrounding this campaign about the treatment of Hindus in France itself. The French government has yet to respond and clarify how they intend to address this. The protests will continue."
The community members were urged to boycott French goods and stop flying Air France. They were also urged by Ramesh Kallidai of Hindu Forum to write to the Chairman of the International Olympic Committee expressing their opposition to the holding of Olympics 2012 in France. "After all, this is the country that gave the world the three words 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity', and yet they do not wish to give liberty to minority faith traditions, do not wish to give us the same treatment given to the Catholic Church in strict violation of all accepted equality laws, and refuse to extend a hand of friendship and fraternity to us."
It was pointed out that Hindu temples in France are not recognised as 'established Churches' and are therefore not given the same tax rebates that are available to Catholic Churches, some Protestant Churches and a few synagogues and mosques.