Hindus point out that French President Francois Hollande's discreet escapades has degraded the institution of presidency and tarnished the image of France, a great nation at the political heart of Europe.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was morally reprehensible for a French President to keep an “official” lover, First Lady Valerie Trierweiler, at Elysee Palace with a staff supported by public money; and then reportedly sneakily smuggle himself through the back metal gate of Elysee Palace at night-time to a flat on a scooter to meet another “unofficial” lover Julie Gayet for romantic adventures.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that this episode was setting-up a very poor role model for France and the world. Hollande needed to immediately clarify his stand and apologize to France and the rest of the world, Zed added.

Rajan Zed further said that being democratically elected President, Hollande was elected with public trust and thus his rhetoric—"private matters should be dealt with privately"—did not carry much weight. In spite of indulging in such reckless frolics, Hollande should be focusing on France’s economic growth, business reforms, combating unemployment (about 10.3% of the workforce is out of work), etc.

His Holiness Pope Francis should also come out with a statement on this morality issue as Hollande was reportedly raised as a Catholic and attended Catholic boarding school, Zed noted.

Was cheating wife/partner becoming a French presidential tradition? Rajan Zed asked.