Appeal against gross denigration of Shrikrushna and Arjun in the Short film – ‘A frustrated software engineer – 2’

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) have received several complaints against Ashima Theatre Group (http://www.ashimatheatre.com/) from devout Hindus regarding the demeaning picturization of Shrikrushna and Arjun in the short-film, “A Frustrated Software Engineer: 2 | An Appraisal Discussion”.

The denigrating short film can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=779&v=RQLFPp3F3v0

Upon reviewing the complaints, the HJS team immediately appealed to the Ashima Theatre Group requesting them to remove the film from YouTube and their blog. HJS explained that the short film is offensive to Hindus, as it ridiculed Shrikrushna and Arjun while trying to compare the current corporate politics and fiercely competitive struggle with the divine insights of Mahabharata and Kurukshetra. In addition, the conversations between the software engineer and his manager have vague references from the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita in a demeaning and disgraceful manner which makes a mockery of the values of the Bhagavad Gita!

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) team has not received any response from Ashima Theatre Group. Consequently, HJS now requests all readers to appeal against this shocking denigration peacefully and lawfully by either writing an email or calling the numbers below requesting to remove this film from YouTube and their blog.

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Please see below the appeal letter written by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti:

To,

Mr. Mayank Singh , Mr. Silky Agarwal

Ashima Theatre Group

Email : [email protected]

             [email protected]

Mobile : 8879025551, 8879819849

Sub : Request you to remove the short film, “A Frustrated Software Engineer: 2 | An Appraisal Discussion” immediately from your website and YouTube as it hurts Hindu Sentiments.

We at Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have received several complaints from devout Hindus against Ashima Theatre (http://www.ashimatheatre.com) regarding the insulting parody of Shrikrushna and Arjun’s depiction in the film, “A Frustrated Software Engineer: 2 | An Appraisal Discussion” which depicts excerpts from the Mahabharata in a demeaning and disgraceful way.

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) is a registered NGO in India working for Hindu Dharma and also for society and national welfare. The Samiti is active throughout the world, educating people about Hindu Dharma in a scientific way, campaigning against malpractices done in the name of Hindu Dharma and solving problems related to the misrepresentation of Hindu Dharma. For further details please refer to our website www.HinduJagruti.org.

The short film can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=779&v=RQLFPp3F3v0.

We are sending this appeal to notify you regarding the humiliating and despicable representation of our revered Deity Shrikrushna and the Holy epic, Mahabharata. The short film is offensive to Hindus, as it is contrary to Shrikrushna and Arjun’s portrayal in the Mahabharata. In addition, the conversations between the software engineer and his manager has taken obscure parlances from the Bhagavad Gita and make a mockery of the principles of the Bhagavad Gita. Also the actors in the roles of Shrikrushna and Arjun trivialize and denigrate them and hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

Your film is trying to compare today’s corporate world with the Mahabharata and Kurukshetra but the Mahabharata contains philosophical and devotional essence, such as the concept of Purusharthas (goals of life) rather than petty office politics and tactics!

You may have made this film unknowingly; however, hurting religious feelings leads to an offence as per the Indian Penal Code – section 295A.

We urge you to consider the above points and remove the short film, “A Frustrated Software Engineer: 2 | An Appraisal Discussion” immediately from your website and YouTube to prevent further denigration of the highly revered Shrikrushna, Arjun and the Mahabharata.

We stress that our aim in bringing up these points is to educate and ensure that Hindu Deities and Hinduism gets accurately represented to society. Hinduism has been misrepresented at many levels. Though it is an ancient tradition, Hinduism has a lot to offer the modern world, and we want children and adults alike to be able to understand and study it without it being misrepresented. You can take one step towards ensuring that Shrikrushna and Hinduism are not misunderstood, by removing this denigrating film from your website including YouTube.

Sincerely,

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti