Contents –
- The story of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in gist
- Protest by HJS
- What is wrong in this film ?
- Questions to Director
- Frequently asked questions
- What you can do ?
- Sattavik Picture of Lord Ram
The story of Slumdog Millionaire in gist
The Hollywood movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ tells the story of a young man named Jamal Malik from the slums of Mumbai who appears on a game show. The story is about how he got the answers that made him a millionaire. In this movie Lord Rama and Indian culture are shown in poor light hurting religious sentiments.
There is a question asked in the game show of the movie ‘In depictions of Lord Rama’ he is famously holding what in right Hand?’ Jamal a character in movie remembers riots happened in his childhood. The film shows that Hindus attacks Muslim area shouting ‘They’re Muslims, get them’. Jamal’s mother was killed by a Hindu after she was hit by a rod on the head. Jamal and his brother Salim ran away after seeing their mother killed. While running they reach a street in which they see a child dressed like Lord Rama. Jamal watches him carefully and sees a bow in his right hand and thinking that he will be killed by the person dressed as Lord Ram, he goes by a different route. This child looks horrible. The facial expressions and the pose taken by child dressed like Lord Rama is denigrating to the religious sentiments of Hindus. This movie can create communal disharmony. So it needs to be banned.
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Police Complaint letter draft from HJS 22 nd January, 2009 To, The Sr. Inspector of Police, Sub: Complaint against Christian Colson (Producer), Simon Beaufoy & Vikas Swarup (Writer), Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandan (co- director) of the film “Slumdog Millionaire”. Sir, We, the undersigned have to address our Complaint to you as under: 1. That a film “Slumdog Millionaire” is scheduled to be released all over India on 23/1/2009. 2. That there is a scene in the said movie wherein the character “Jamaal” is asked a question by an other character in the movie performed by the actor “Anil Kapoor”. The question asked is, “In depictions of God Rama, he is famously holding what in his right hand?” 3. That it is shown in the movie that the character “Jamaal” goes into a flashback and remembers an incident, described as follows: “The said incident depicts that “Jamaal” as a child is playing in a water tank and his mother is washing clothes nearby. Suddenly a Hindu mob attacks that area. That area is shown as an area where Muslims reside. The Hindu mob attacks the Muslims. There is a dialogue in the film stating, “The Hindus are coming”. The scene thereafter depicts in detail the acts of violence committed by the Hindus against the Muslims. Young “Jamaal” is running helter-skelter. All of a sudden “Jamaal” and his friend face a small boy who is dressed up as Lord Rama. Seeing him “Jamaal” and his friend sense fear that they will be killed by this “Rama” and they run away. 4. That the said scene is hurting and insulting to Hindu religious sentiments. That the said scene is portraying the Hindus and the Hindu Religion in a bad light and is defaming the Hindus amongst the world audience and their Lord Rama as killer of Muslims. 5. That the said scene by recollecting the one side of the riots is instigating tensions between the two communities and by intentionally making the people remember those black days, wherein both Hindus and Muslims were killed, is further straining the fragile relations which exist between the communities. 6. The questions that rise in our Hindu minds are: a. Why is a scene of Hindu – Muslim riots selected? b. Why is a Hindu mob shown as attacking the Muslim community? c. Can, in normal circumstances, a young child dressed as Rama stand still in the mayhem as is shown in the film? d. Can a young child dressed as Rama be, in reality, able to roam around, in a Muslim community? e. Are such children dressed in such get-ups seen begging for alms in a slum as is shown in film? f. Was it really necessary to show the character “Jamaal” remembering and recalling such a one sided riot scene when that particular question is asked to him? What did the writers, directors, producers intend to convey by casting such a scene? That it is our allegation that by showing such scenes, to hurt the feelings of the communities, create tension, and gaining publicity to sell their product for a premium without regard to any ethical values. 7. That Lord Rama is depicted as if he is the destroyer of Muslims. That the Hindu God Rama is being insulted by such a depiction. 8. That, in view of the above your good-office is requested to take immediate action against the offenders, as per the provisions of law. That your good-office is further requested, in view of the above to take specific action to ban the screening of the film in your jurisdiction. Yours truly, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti |
HJS protest
What is wrong in this film ?
- The film shows that Hindus attacks Muslim area shouting ‘They’re Muslims, get them’ and starts hitting Muslims and Muslims were running away. Hindus killing and burning Muslims which gives message that Hindus are cruel and kill Muslims now and then by attacking in mobs.
- Jamal sees Lord Ram and his facial expressions are tense. It shows that Lord Ram is some one like terrorist. The child in the form of Lord Rama is shown very horrible. Facial expressions and the pose taken by child dressed like God Rama is very skeptical at that situation.
- All characters in this film are Muslims except a few like, begger boy Arvind, Game show host Prem Kumar and Jamal’s girlfriend Latika.
- As per the news, Muslim boys are paid to lure Hindu Girls. In this film Jamal, a Muslim boy is shown very kind to Hindu girl. This is part of international conspiracy against Hindu culture.
- Hindu boy Arvind was made blind and begger. Again why not Salim, Shaik, Omar?
Questions to Director
- Why is a scene of Hindu – Muslim riots selected?
- Why is a Hindu mob shown as attacking the Muslim community?
- Can, in normal circumstances, a young child dressed as Rama stand still in the mayhem as is shown in the film?
- Can a young child dressed as Rama be, in reality, able to roam around, in a Muslim community?
- Are such children dressed in such get-ups seen begging for alms in a slum as is shown in film?
- Was it really necessary to show the character “Jamaal” remembering and recalling such a one sided riot scene when that particular question is asked to him?
- Child dressed like Lord Ram in Muslim area? He looks very calm. When people are scared by riots, how come a young one remains silent? This Ram is blessing by left hand which itself is insult because Gods use right hand for blessings.
- What did the writers, directors, producers intend to convey by casting such a scene? That it is our allegation that by showing such scenes, to hurt the feelings of the communities, create tension, and gaining publicity to sell their product for a premium without regard to any ethical values.
FAQs
1. Many Hindus have seen the movie they do not feel anything wrong in it.
Clarification – Any common person can not comment on whether a particular Medicine should be consumed by a patient to cure specific disease, because he lacks the knowledge of medical science. Similarly most of the Hindus neither have proper and adequate knowledge about Hindu Dharma nor do they right or any spiritual practice. Thus most of the Hindus don’t feel anything wrong with defamation of deities. Such Hindus should start proper spiritual practice.
2. You are behaving like extremist organisations.
Clarification – In a broad sense, denigration means displaying something in an undesirable form/shape, different from its original form/shape.Any act or object that obstructs emanation of subtle sattvik vibrations of the Divine can also be considered denigration.Divine symbols emanate sattva guna (the Divine vibrations). It serves as a source of inspiration to an individual, to live his life in a righteous manner. So denigration can shatter faith of individuals and set unwanted examples for future generations.It create a doubt about the credibility of the Divine / its Symbol. Finally, it can even cause elimination of religious practices and facilitate destruction of religion. Thus it has to be protested and further HJS is protesting in a very democratic and peaceful manner. See photos
3. The movie has been honored with prestigious Golden globe awards and it is in race of Oscar.
Clarification – Awards do not give license to defame Hindu Dharma and deities. It can’t be considered as a protective shield of purposeful insult of particular religion.
4. You are creating religious tension.
Clarification – If you watch the movie carefully, you will prefer to shoot your question at the director of film instead of us.
What you can do ?
- Spreading a word about this campaign
- Lodging complaint against this film to police for hurting of religious sentiments and asking to stop the screening of this movie.
- Asking the Theater owners not to show this movie.
- It is sad to note that Hindu actors like Anil Kapoor, did not feel anything wrong in acting in this film. The need of the hour is to give Dharmashiksha to Hindus so that they do Dharmacharan (Abide by their Dharma) and Sadhana (spiritual practice)
Sattvik Picture of Lord Ram
 pubshied by Sanatan Sanstha |
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We are giving here Sattavik picture of Lord Sree Ram prepared by Sanatan Sanstha. Anybody can compare from below pictures which one you feel good ?
To read the scientific information about Sree Ram visit this link: Lord Ram
Why we must stop denigration of our deities?
In the broad sense, denigration means displaying something in an undesirable form/shape, different from its original form/shape.
Any act or object that obstructs emanation of subtle sattvik vibrations of the Divine Principle can also be considered as denigration. (All creation is made of three kinds of vibrations – tamasik, rajasik and sattvik. Each creation has a combination of these three, with one being predominant. These are the subtlest of all basic qualities. The tamasik qualities are the most inferior and the sattvik are the most superior.)
While discussing this subject, we will differentiate between a human being and a Divine being. We will include humans who have attained Divinity in the category of ‘Divine beings’.
Denigration can find expression in a painting, sculpture, text, words, sentences, play, films etc.
Importance of Divine symbols
1. Divine symbols emanate Sattva component (or Divine vibrations).
2. A Divine symbol embodies the Divine being it represents. Hence, it represents Divine qualities and serves as a beacon for the common man to walk the right path in this life.
3. A Divine symbol serves as a source of inspiration to an individual, to live his life in a righteous manner.
4. For a believer in the Divine being, His symbol draws equal reverence. (In contrast, a non-believer finds it impossible to feel anything for the symbol, when he does not believe in the Divine.)
5. Because of such qualities and their nature, Divine symbols occupy a special place in the hearts and minds of the devout. Faith, which follows, is a by-product of this phenomenon.
6. Divinity of the mind is the ultimate stage in evolution of a man. To achieve this, he requires the help of some form/shape. Symbols serve this purpose.
Types of denigration
1. Intentional :
A. Out of malice
Example: 1. Paintings by MF Husain
B. To destroy its importance and create doubts about it in the minds of people
Example: 1. Sri Ganesh depicted as Hitler, Laden and Bush
2. Unintentional:
A. Out of ignorance
Example: 1. Deity Shiva depicted as Dog
B . For commercial gains
Example: 1. Sri Durga with whisky bottles in Her hand
C . As lack of pride for its qualities
Example: 1. Srikrushna in a half-pant
Impact of denigration and the need to combat denigration
A. Denigration can shatter faith of individuals and set unwanted examples for future generations.
B. Create a doubt about the credibility of the Divine and / or its symbol. Finally, it can even cause exclusion of religious practices, and facilitate destruction of religion.
One can understand denigration of individuals; it can show an individual in a light, which tarnishes his reputation. Commenting on a Politician’s / public figure’s misdeeds or sketching their cartoons, are two such examples.
At the level of individuals, such caricatures, cartoons, creations or lampooning are the lightest forms of denigration – and subject to differences in personal opinions.
Whereas denigrating the Divine, questions the very relationship humans have with the Divine. It questions the faith of a human in Divinity and Its powers. It erodes values – moral, social and spiritual.
Thus, the urgent need to strongly oppose and stop denigration through any medium, of Deities and Divine symbols.
Media Coverage
- Slumdog is about defaming Hindus- Kanchan Gupta, Daily pioneer
- Slumdog Millionaire: the prejudice continues? – Saurav Basu, ivarta.com
