Hindus in the UK have launched a campaign to reclaim the swastika from associations with the Nazis. German MEPs called for a Europe-wide ban of the symbol after Prince Harry wore it on an ill-advised fancy costume earlier this month.

However, the symbol had been a Indo-Iranian sing; for Iranians it was the insignia of Mithra, and sign of "agreement" and for Hinuds it was sign of good luck charm for centuries.

“It’s the second most sacred symbol in the Hindu tradition, which has been used for 5,000 years to ward off evil,” said Mr Kallidai, who revealed a special effort would be made to get the message across to Jewish groups offended by the image.

He added: “Hindus use the swastika merely as a religious sacrament, to express their devotion to God. Surely nobody can have any objections to that?

“Just because, at a particular moment in history, one section of society used it, or a mirror image, to unleash xenophobic ideology does not mean Hindus should be punished. “It’s like saying the Ku Klux Klan burn crosses so therefore let’s ban the use of crosses worldwide.”

Some British Euro-MPs have also spoken out against a ban. West Midlands Liberal Democrat Liz Lynne said: “I understand how the burden of history weighs upon my German colleagues’ view.

“However, banning symbols cannot ban evil and risks playing into the hands of those who would seek to subvert the very liberties we most champion.”