Protest : Denigration of Bhagavad Gita in a cartoon on ‘Mumbai Mirror’ website

We, at Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) have received several complaints from devout Hindus regarding the farcical cartoon, “If Gita Becomes The National Book, Then…” published on the Mumbai Mirror newspaper’s website http://www.mumbaimirror.com/photos/cartoon/cornered/mumbaiphotos/45518402.cms.

This cartoon by Mr. Hemant Morparia is a mockery of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and depicts Shrikrushna’s chariot, the conch and the mace (considered a Divine weapon by Hindus) in a derogatory way.

Upon reviewing the complaints, the HJS team wrote an appeal letter addressed to Mumbai Mirror’s Grievance officer requesting him to remove the insulting cartoon from the website immediately. The appeal letter also explained that the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the revered Holy book of Hindus and depicting it in such a demeaning manner reflects blatant denigration. It also pointed out that use of the Holy symbols (conch and mace) for comical purpose is humiliating and deeply hurts the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus around the world.

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) team has not received a response from the Grievance officer.

Appeal letter written by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

From: Hindu Jagruti
Date: Thu, May 7, 2015 at 8:51 PM
Subject: Denigration of Bhagavad Gita in a cartoon by Mr. Morparia on Mumbai Mirror website
To: [email protected]

The Grievance officer,

Mumbai Mirror

Namaste,

We at Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have received complaints from Hindus regarding the cartoon published on your website – http://www.mumbaimirror.com/photos/cartoon/cornered/mumbaiphotos/45518402.cms.This cartoon by Mr. Morparia makes fun of the Bhagavad Gita and depicts Lord Krishna’s chariot, the conch and the mace (considered as a divine weapon by Hindus) in a derogatory manner.

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is a registered NGO in India doing social, Hindu Dharma related and national welfare work. The Samiti is also active throughout the world, educating people about Hindu Dharma in a scientific way, campaigning against malpractices done as Hindu Dharma related practices and solving problems related to misrepresentation of Hindu Dharma. For further details please refer to our website www.HinduJagruti.org.

We are sending this letter to you to inform you about this blatant denigration of the Bhagavad Gita and the holy symbols (conch and mace). The Bhagavad Gita is the revered holy book of the Hindus and depicting it in such an objectionable manner amounts to denigration. This depiction hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus. Would you have portrayed Holy Scriptures of other religions in similar manner?

Further, showing cartoons of Deities and religious symbols actually amounts to denigration and is an offense as per Indian Penal Code section 295A.

We protest the denigration caused by this cartoon and hope that you will remove it immediately from your website to prevent further hurting the sentiments of Hindus throughout the world.

Yours Sincerely,

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti