BRITAIN: Coronation Street, Britain's longest-running soap opera, is at the centre of a religious row after Hindus expressed shock at a scene that showed a Hindu statue being wielded as a weapon.
The Hindu Forum of Britain, the largest umbrella body for British Hindus, complained to producers ITV after Maya threatened to hit Sunita with a statue of the elephant-headed demi-god, Lord Ganesh.
Hindus consider Ganesh one of their greatest demi-gods.
ITV apologised, but a spokesman for the Hindu Forum said the Hindu community was greatly offended by the "irresponsible" scene.
The soap is also broadcast on TV3.
"They have apologised and we are happy that the show has agreed to consult us for any future research on the Hindu religion. But we are still concerned because so many people in the Hindu community have been upset.
"ITV seems to have a double standard. Would they show someone using a Koran as a weapon? Probably not," he added.