Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged end to social hostilities and government restrictions on Hinduism in various countries of the world.

According to a new study by the Washington DC (USA) based Pew Research Center on "global restrictions on religion", published on January 14, Hindus were harassed and intimidated by governments or social groups in 33 countries from June 2006 to December 2012.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, stressed that social hostilities involving religion and government restrictions on religions should not have any place in the 21st century world.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought, Rajan Zed pointed out.

The study, however, did not list the countries where Hindus were harassed and intimidated.

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Alan Murray is the President.