Software giant Microsoft has become an unexpected victim of hate messages directed at a Surf Excel detergent commercial that has raked up a huge controversy in India over the past few days.

The latest commercial, part of Surf Excel's "Daag Achche Hai Campaign", shows a Hindu girl saving a Muslim boy from colours on Holi. However, it has offended some people, who are venting their anger on the social media.

Some un-informed folks, who joined the hate parade, confused Surf Excel with Microsoft Excel.

Soon #BoycottSurfExcel, #BoycottExcel, #MicrosoftExcel and more such hashtags involving Microsoft were trending on the social media.

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"Going to request Sundar Pichai to throw you away from the Playstore. And ofcourse Satya Nadella as well to remove you from Microsoft Office. As a data scientist, it was tough to say this but country over profession anytime," wrote Aditya Bhandari, who claims to be a data scientist, on PlayStore.

Senior journalist Raju Narisetti posted a screenshot of Bhandari's comment on Twitter, expressing his shock at the ignorance. (IANS)