The Hindu Bajrang Mandal, a registered socio-cultural organisation, wants the magazine to be withdrawn and that its publisher and editor present their apology to the Hindu community. “It's outrageous; it's insulting.  It seems, of late, European magazines are out to hurt people's feelings. Recently one had the guts to attack Islam, and now it's Hinduism that is the target,” Ashwin Bisnauthsingh, president of HBM, told the press on Thursday.

The magazine, Gala, which has a wide international circulation, including in Mauritius, shows a semi-nude blonde on three pages (11, 78 and 85) with an “Om” tattoo in Devanagri script. The issue appeared on April 16,2008, Volume number 775.

“People  have “Om” tatoo on their forearms. There's nothing wrong in it, but to display it in a sensual manner on a practically nude model is vulgar and unacceptable. It hurts the feeling of those who practise Hinduism. We want the magazine removed from circulation and we want the editor,  its publisher, and distributor to tender their unreserved apologies”, Bisnauthsingh said.

The magazine is distributed by IPBD, in Curepipe. The HBM has served, through its Attorney at Law, Subiraj Sakurdeep, a notice (Mise en Demeure ) to the distributor asking it to “remove forthwith from circulation the said magazine”. The notice also says, failure to comply will result in legal proceedings.

Barrister Mrina Luchman represents HBM. She proposes to inform the authorities about it and work on the case. “Om is sacred to the Hindus. It is a sign for prayers and culture. The way it has been shown in the magazine has tarnished the image of the Hindu community,” one of the spiritual advisers of HBM, Pandit Darshan Ramful, told News on Sunday.
IPBD was not available for comment.