Controversy has erupted once again regarding the commercial use of Hindu imagery, with many Hindus expressing concern about the extensive use of statues and pictures of Hindu deities by Blagclub, a company that owns three West London nightclubs.

The complaint was raised by Hindu clubbers, who circulated their discomfiture at the use of these images through e-mail. Since then, the issue has been taken up by several Hindu organisations and individuals, with a mounting campaign to get the management of Blagclub to reconsider the use of Hindu iconography.

Speaking to Hindu Voice UK, Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary-General of Hindu Forum of Britain said: "We think it is highly irresponsible for organizations to continue using Hindu images in a derogatory manner for commercial exploitation with no consideration of the offence and hurt they cause to millions of practicing Hindus around the world. I challenge Blagclub to use non-Hindu religious images in the same way and see the fall-out. Why should they treat Hindu images alone with disdain and disrespect? We are discussing with Hindu Human Rights and other Hindu organizations on how we can send them a joint letter requesting withdrawal of the images and will decide on a future course of joint action after watching their reaction (or lack of it)."

Dilip Lakhani of the Vivekananda Centre also took the management to task. "We wonder if the management of these clubs is making a deliberate attempt to denigrate Hindus or perhaps it reflects a management ill-informed about the sensitivities surrounding Hindu images."

The management of Blag Club has said that the matter is not up for discussion. David Moran, the owner of all three clubs said: "We have had these icons in our clubs for six years now, so why the fuss? I find it sad." Ms Shilpa Mehta, on behalf of Blag Club, told the BBC Asian Network that she herself is a practicing Hindu, and that campaign groups that are complaining about the club's décor are in fact not letting her express Hinduism in the way she wants.