Jewish leader calls for boycott of 'The Love Guru'

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Jewish leader calls for boycott of 'The Love Guru'

Rabbi Elizabeth, a Jewish leader, has protested against the movie 'The Love Guru' and urged the Hindus to speak out. She says that gross distortions of another culture do not lead to improving relations. These would lead towards disrespect.

CJ: Rajan

Fri, May 16, 2008 11:42:16 IST

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Ddistortions of Hindu Culture :

RABBI ELIZABETH W Beyer of Nevada, in a statement, said, “The Love Guru lampoons Hinduism, mocks ashram life and Hindu philosophy. While ‘Guru Pitka’ states that he endorses no particular religion, the movie clearly portrays him as a guru – religious leader of Hindus. It is unfortunate that the comedy jabs at a culture of which many Americans are not familiar. It leaves viewers with a distorted, sexually flagrant parody. In the case of this movie, we owe it to our Hindu friends to speak out against this misleading sham. Gross distortions of another culture do not lead to improved relations, tolerance and understanding. They lead towards disrespect. Please join me in a boycott of this movie.”

Meanwhile, furthering the drive pioneered by acclaimed Hindu and Indo-American leader Rajan Zed, various organisations and leaders have been coming out expressing concern about the possibility of this film hurting the sentiments of Hindus worldwide and urging filmmakers to be more responsible when handling faith related subjects. Zed has been saying that from the information available about the movie, it appears to be lampooning Hinduism and Hindus and using Hindu terms frivolously. Various Hindu, Catholic, Presbyterian, Jewish, Native American, Methodist, Buddhist, youth, film, spiritual or religious, music, yoga, civil rights, etc, leaders have already issued statements in support of this cause espoused by Rajan Zed.

On the other hand, Hindu groups are contacting film distributors, associations, exhibitors groups, theater owners, etc in various parts of the world urging them not to distribute or screen the upcoming movie ’The Love Guru’ till Paramount Pictures makes necessary changes in it.

G Kendrick Macdowell, vice president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, largest exhibition trade organisation in the world, replying to one such request, wrote, “I am sympathetic to your concern, as I have been to the ashrams in India and know a little bit about the guru-disciple relationship. I have not seen the trailer or the movie, but I can guess that it satirises ‘gurus on the make’. I doubt I would find it funny. Nevertheless, we are not in a position to take actions that you recommend. We are a trade association and we cannot interfere with the decisions of our members regarding what movies or trailers to play.”

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