Upset Hindus ask for apology from Canada's Winnepeg Sun

An article 'America: Hell yeah' in the July 4 edition of Canada's Winnipeg Sun has upset Hindus with over its careless usage of a revered deity's name. They are demanding an immediate apology by its publisher.

CJ: Correspondent

Tue, Jul 07, 2009 09:41:45 IST

Views:
8
Comments:
1

Rate:

0.0 / 0 votes

Religious News :

AN ARTICLE ('America: Hell yeah') that appeared in the July 4 edition of Canada's Winnipeg Sun newspaper, has upset Hindus worldwide. They are demanding an immediate apology from its publisher and its parent company, Quebecor.

Objecting to the sentence “Although Bollywood makes more movies, Hollywood is still the No.1 producer of non-Vishnu related cinema,” said Hindu statesman Rajan Zed. In a statement issued from Nevada (USA) today, he pointed out that Vishnu was a highly revered deity worshipped by Hindus. Use of the word ‘Vishnu’ in this case was completely unwarranted. He claimed that the careless use of this highly sacred term hurt the Hindu sentiments.

Rajan Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that Hindus were all for free speech and that Hindu tradition encouraged peaceful debates, won on intellectual merit. But faith was something sacred and attempts at belittling it hurt devotees. Bhavna Shinde of the Forum for Hindu Awakening said that this expression was clearly a case of irresponsible journalism, which was totally uncalled for. He said that the use could be construed as a deliberate attempt to offend Hindu feelings.

Other organisations/leaders that joined Zed in this protest include the Hindu Alliance of India, Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha, India Heritage Panel; and Dharam Loonaa, Executive Director of the Universal Society of Hinduism.

Vishnu, regarded as the Preserver, forms the triad of major gods of the Hindu pantheon along with Brahma and Shiva. Called muktidata (savior god), he is Narayana, the ever-present and all-pervading. His avatars (incarnations) include Rama, Krishna, and Buddha. Hinduism, the world's third largest religion has about one billion adherents and it holds moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

The Winnipeg Sun, published from Manitoba since 1980 with Kevin Klein as publisher, is a division of the Sun Media Corporation, a Quebecor company. Canada’s largest newspaper publisher Sun Media Corporation has over 243 publications, including The Toronto Sun, and it reaches over 10.5 million readers weekly. Quebecor, with Pierre Karl Péladeau as president and Jean Neveu as board chairman, is one of Canada's largest media companies.

E-mail |

Print | Post comment

Photos on Press Releases

more...