Richard Gere's kiss sets nation on fire

According to media reports, Hindu activists in Varanasi, Bhopal, Kanpur, Indore, Delhi and Mumbai burnt effigies of Gere and Shetty to give vent to their anger over the actor's act on stage at the program in Delhi, calling it indecent behavior.

In Delhi, Shiv Sena activists converged at Jantar Mantar to express their resentment over the act while in Varanasi, several Shiv Sena and Bande Mataram Sangharsh Samiti activists as well as Muslims took to the streets.

In Mumbai, over 50 Shiv Sena activists converged at the Vashi railway station in Navi Mumbai where the film 'Metro' was being shot and burnt an effigy of Shilpa Shetty and shouted slogans against her, Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh reported.

None of the protests have taken any violent turn, however.

"I understand this (kissing) is his culture, not ours. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to overreact in such a manner," Shetty said, in defence of Gere.

"I understand people's sentiments, but I don't want a foreigner to take bad memories from here," she said, adding, "It was done in good humour. We are actors, entertainers and I think Richard was only trying to entertain the audience."

Condemning the burning of effigies, the actress said that the people "over-reacted." "This is his culture, not ours. I understand this. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to over react in such a manner. His effigies are being burnt!" she said.

Defending Gere's "impromptu act," Shetty said instead of asking him to apologise "we should be thankful to him for doing so much for the cause."

Expressing her anguish over the media's handling of the issue, she said, "I want to know from the media and people giving reactions What have they done for the cause?"