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| Britain |
| Hindus call boycott of French goods over shoe insult |
| 2005-06-10 |
| Note: skepticism quotes removed from 'insult'. Outraged Hindu groups in Britain called on devotees worldwide Wednesday to boycott French-made goods, after a French manufacturer refused to remove a Hindu god from its designer shoes. British Hindus have added their voices to growing global anger over the image of Lord Rama, one of the most revered gods, appearing on Minelli brand footwear from the French fashion group Vivarte. The Hindu Human Rights group, "incensed by their indifference," said it was organising a rally for this Sunday outside the French embassy in central London. The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) umbrella body is also demanding that Hindus pressure the Indian government to stop buying Mirage fighter jets, write to the International Olympic Committee to say Paris should not be chosen as the venue for the 2012 Olympics, and stop flying with Air France. "This is the last straw," Ramesh Kallidai, HFB secretary general, said in a statement. "Hinduism is a very tolerant religion and we have no problems if our images are used in a respectful manner. But to use the image of Lord Rama on a shoe, when we don't even wear shoes inside our temples, is disrespectful and disgraceful," he said. "It has hurt the sentiments of over one billion Hindus in the world, and yet Minelli have not agreed to withdraw the sale." Kallidai widened his fire to France as a whole, which has introduced a law that forbids the wearing of "conspicuous" religious insignia and garments in state schools, most notably Muslim headscarves. "France has a history of religious intolerance. France has refused to accord the status of a bonafide religion to Hindu temples in the country, thus denying them legitimate tax benefits enjoyed by other religions," Kallidai said. "Hindu women and men cannot put bindis, tilaks and other forehead markings in school and other places for fear of religious persecution. We are fortunate that Britain has such an excellent model of religious tolerance and community cohesion." |
| Posted by:too true |
| #7 Gotta like the advanced double recurve bow. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-06-10 21:11 |
| #6 Hell yeah, Screw the French!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2005-06-10 12:22 |
| #5 Where are the Thugees when you need them? Those terrorists were PROPERLY killed off by the British. Back when Europe had a backbone and some balls.... |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-06-10 12:02 |
| #4 That is because there are no suicide Hindu bombers in France. Where are the Thugees when you need them? |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-06-10 11:58 |
| #3 Namaste! Lord Rama in full glory: |
| Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) 2005-06-10 11:18 |
| #2 They're gonna have a coniption when they learn about the Blue Man Group. |
| Posted by: ed 2005-06-10 11:03 |
| #1 France has refused to accord the status of a bonafide religion to Hindu temples in the country, thus denying them legitimate tax benefits enjoyed by other religions That is because there are no suicide Hindu bombers in France. |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-06-10 10:09 |