Hindus complain over advert

DENPASAR, Bali: The chairman of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia, a council of Hindu religious leaders, and several leading Hindu activists have strongly criticized a controversial advertisement published in this month's edition of the Bali Kini tabloid.

The advertisement shows a picture of a canangsari, or religious offering, with two golf balls inscribed with the names of the NIRWANA BALI and The Ritz Carlton golf clubs.

"It's insulting our Hindu religion and does not honor our religious feelings," Ida Bagus Agastia, the head of the council, said.

Balinese regard canangsari as holy offerings and usually fill them with money, cakes and fruit, but never golf balls.

Budi Adnyana, a Hindu Youth activist and Denpasar lawyer, urged the council to take legal action.

"We must teach these businessmen to be more careful and more polite to the local culture. If we just forgive them without some concrete action, they are bound to repeat it again," Budi charged. (28)