DHAKA: French president Francois Hollande said he would be ‘intransigent’ on racism after a provocative gesture popularised by a French comedian sparked global controversy.

French striker Nicolas Anelka triggered a media outcry when he used the ‘quenelle’ gesture, performed by putting one arm across his chest and straightening the other, during a weekend football match.

Described by critics as an ‘inverted Nazi salute’, it was popularised by the outspoken comedian Dieudonne, who has been fined repeatedly for hate speech and racial discrimination.

‘I will be intransigent in the face of any violation, in the face of racism, in the face of anti-Semitism,’ said Hollande in a televised New Year’s address.

French law, which bans racism, is ‘non-negotiable’, Hollande added, reports gulfnews.com.

BDST: 1949 HRS, JAN 01, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor