ITV have apologised to members of the Hindu community after religious leaders criticised a recent scene in a soap.

The Hindu Forum of Britain demanded an apology from ITV for its portrayal of Lord Ganesh in an episode broadcast in Coronation Street on 24 November 2004.

In the episode, one of the characters, 'Mad' Maya, is shown grabbing an image of Lord Ganesh and threatening another character, Sunita (played by Shobna Golati).

Maya urges Sunita to be submissive or have her husband come home to find that Sunita had been "beaten to death by Ganesh, the God of good fortune."

Maya then slams the statue down to prove her point.

Senior leaders from the Hindu community reacted angrily to the scene.

President of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Ishwer Tailor of Preston said, "This story line has angered many Hindus all over UK because it shows a gross level of insensitivity to millions of Hindus who worship Lord Ganesh by portraying him as the killer of Sunita."

A spokesperson for Coronation Street said, "We apologise if any offence has been caused. However Maya's actions were those of a deranged woman who had no regard for anyone or anything at the moment that the line was said and any right-minded individual would believe her actions to be abhorrent."

The gripping Coronation Street storyline involving Maya, Sunita and Dev came to fiery and explosive end when Mad Maya kidnaps Sunita and then blows up Dev's corner chop.

Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain added, "We hope that the media can observe the good practice of consulting the Hindu Forum of Britain over any future portrayal of Hindu icons and images."

Complaining over previous portrayals of the Hindu community, Venilal Vaghela, Chair of the Hindu Council of Brent said, "We have seen many such instances where the media have not understood the sensitivities of our faith and continue to broadcast images that are either negative or biased, and in some incidents, just hurtful."

The President of the Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Leicester, Raman Barber commented, "Lord Ganesh is an important figure in the Hindu faith. To project him in this insensitive manner is to exercise one's right of free speech in a manner that is irresponsible and irreprehensible."