French farce outrages Hindu group in Britain

London, England - Britain's largest Hindu group launched a campaign targeting a major Hollywood studio over a French comedy film which, it alleges, mocks a revered Hindu god.

In a statement, the Hindu Forum of Britain said "Les Bronzes 3: Amis Pour La Vie" (The Sun-Tanned Ones 3: Friends for Life) shows the main characters swearing, laughing and tearing up images of Lord Shiva.

It appealed to Britain's large Hindu community to complain in writing or by e-mail to the London office of Warner Brothers, the Hollywood studio that is distributing the summer holiday farce, directed by

Patrice Leconte.

Warner Brothers in London declined to comment.

Hindu Forum secretary general Ramesh Kallidai said "Les Bronzes 3" demonstrated "extreme intolerance and disregard of Hindu practices" and that the irreverant portrayal of Hindu deities was "totally unacceptable".

"To mock the worship of the Hindu religion, as this French film does, does little to increase understanding our different cultures or even help all communities to live together in an harmonious way," he added.

The Hindu Forum of Britain is a coalition of more than 250 organisations representing the nation's 559,000 Hindus.