India labels anti-Islam film 'offensive material'

India today said that Google had blocked access in the country to an anti-Islam film which has triggered protests across the Muslim world as it condemned the "offensive" movie.

India on Sunday said that Google had blocked access in the country to an anti-Islam film which has triggered protests across the Muslim world as it condemned the "offensive" movie.

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"Google India has, in compliance with Indian law, blocked access to the offensive material," foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said.

"India has always strongly condemned all acts that disparage religious beliefs and hurt religious sentiments," he said in a statement, adding that authorities were also "in touch with US officials who share our concerns on the matter".

A Google executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Friday that it had blocked access to Internet users trying to watch the movie via YouTube which it owns.

More than 80 people were arrested in the southern city of Chennai on Friday after an attack by Islamists on the US consulate during a protest against the film.

The country has reinforced security at the US embassy in New Delhi and consulates and diplomatic interests in other Indian cities as a precaution against possible protests.

The country is home to world's third largest Muslim population after Indonesia and Pakistan.