NEW DELHI, Feb 12: India is “deeply concerned” about the global rage over the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him), a government spokesman said, calling for more sensitivity over religious issues.

“The government of India is deeply concerned about the growing controversy over the publication of cartoons that offend the Muslim community worldwide,” the spokesman told the Press Trust of India news agency late on Saturday.

New Delhi had conveyed its outrage to the Danish government in October, shortly after the cartoons were first published there, the spokesman said.

“It is incumbent on all of us to be sensitive to the beliefs and sentiments of others and avoid all actions that cause hurt to them,” the official said.

“India’s commitment to religious harmony and tolerance is unshakeable and actions that cause hurt to the sentiments of any part of our people are not acceptable.”—AFP