The row between the Hindus in Britain and the Royal Mail, over a new Christmas stamp depicting a Hindu man and woman worshipping baby Jesus, has deepened, after the Royal Mail refused to withdraw the stamp. An umbrella body representing 250 Hindu organisations — the Hindu Forum of Britain — has demanded the withdrawal of the ”disrespectful” stamp. The stamp features a man with a ”tilak” on his forehead, identifying him as a Vaishnava Hindu, and the woman with traditional ”kumkum” mark on her forehead identifying her as a married Hindu woman. Both are seen worshipping an image of baby Christ on the stamp. However, the Royal Mail has refused to accept the demand saying the stamp featured a ”Mughal” painting which dates back to between 1620 and 1630 AD and originates from Mumbai in India. A spokesman for the Royal Mail confirmed they would not withdraw the stamp or amend it saying it was ”not possible.” He said, ”It was common for Hindu artists during that period to paint images that depicted the western culture, including paintings about Christianity. The stamp simply features a Hindu artists interpretation of Christianity’s Madonna and Child scene.” ”The Royal Mail does, however, apologise for any unintentional offence caused to the Hindu community,” he added. Now Hindus in Britain are organising new ways of protesting. Secretary general of the Hindu Forum Ramesh Kallidai said, ”After Royal Mail refused to withdraw the stamp, Hindu leaders representing some of the largest organisations across UK have informed us that they will take this matter straight to the community to protest about it.” ”It has now caused even greater resentment since the Royal Mail had not even originally consulted us before the stamp was issued. We could easily have offered them advice on a suitable depiction of the Mother and Child image that would not have offended anybody,” he added. The stamp is priced at 68 pence, which is the amount of postage for letters to India. ”They have shown utter disregard for the issue of evangelical conversions in India,” explained President of the Hindu Council of Birmingham Jo Thanki. ”Many newspapers in India have reported that evangelical churches linked to terrorist organisations in the North West region of India have intimidated tribals at gun points into conversion. It is therefore a deeper issue that Royal Mail seem to have not addressed.” ”We strongly object to the stamp depicting a Hindu couple worshiping Baby Christ. We are followers of a culture which respects all religious and beliefs but this type of depiction is denigrating and undermines our religious sentiments,” said General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Uk and Europe Kishore Ruparelia. ”We strongly advise the Royal Mail to withdraw this stamp otherwise we intend to bring out a mass demonstration to protest about it. This is a deliberate attempt to dilute the thinking of ordinary Hindus,” he added. Hindu leaders now plan to start mass mailing of letters without stamps to the Royal Mail headquarters to clog the post office at Old Street, letters of protest by email to the Royal Mail and DTI and lobbying with friendly Parliamentarians. If Royal Mail continues their refusal to withdraw the stamp, a mass protest outside their headquarters in London is also being planned. A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed on BBC today that they had consulted the Museum in Mumbai where the painting hangs, but could have done more to consult Hindus widely.