Hindus across Europe have raised their concern about a play Ganesh Versus the Third Reich to be a world premiere at Melbourne Festival in Australia on September 29. A Hindu leader says he's worried that the Hindu god Ganesh is being made a laughing stock on stage in a play.

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, United States, argued that Lord Ganesh was divine and theater/film/art were welcome to create projects about/around him showing his true depiction as mentioned in the scriptures. Creating irrelevant imaginary imagery, like reportedly depicting him being tortured and interrogated by Nazi SS, hurt the devotees.

Describing the play, media release of co-presenter Malthouse Theatre says that Ganesh seeks to go one-on-one with Hitler. It is also described by some as wildly inventive ride through history, where sacred icons and rituals become weapons and brimming with humour.

Back to Back Theatre executive producer Alice Nash said the play actually explored issues raised by Mr Zed, in terms of who had the authority to tell certain stories and how stories could be told via symbols and rituals. She said the show would have elements of humour in it but it won't be people laughing at Ganesh.

It may be reckoned recently, depiction of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi on a swimwear at a fashion event held in Sydney had resulted in worldwide protests. The Australian swim-wear company later apologised after the protests.