MAHATMA GANDHI - GANDHI PARODY CREATES FURORE

Two Indian TV channels have sparked controversy by showing footage of a man dressed as late Indian leader MAHATMA GANDHI performing a pole dance and brandishing an AK-47 rifle. Hindi-language channels IBN-7 and Sahara have been forced to apologise for showing the footage after it caused a public outcry. PRIYARANJAN DASMUNSI, India's Broadcasting Minister, said the channels tried "to denigrate Mahatma Gandhi" and were guilty of an "assault to the dignity of the Father of the Nation".