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Jyeshtha Shuddha Dashami
Click Here to see protest letters written to SONY by devout Hindus
Updates
- Hanuman Videogame: Hindus give Worldwide boycott to SONY PS products (2 June 09)
- Hanuman Videogame: Hindus to give boycott call to SONY products (14 May 09)
- Hindus send Protest letters to Japanese Ambassador against SONY (8 May 09)
- Hindus to intensify protest against SONY's video game (5 May 09)
- SONY agrees to review Hindus’ withdrawal demand of video game (30 Apr 09)
- Kuwait Hindus protest against SONY's defamatory video game (26 Apr 09)
- Hindus worldwide to intensify protest against SONY's 'Hanuman: Warrior Boy' (24 Apr 09)
- HJS writes letter against 'Hanuman: Boy Warrior', SONY replies (24 Apr 09)
- Sony invites wrath of Hindus by releasing “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” (22 Apr 09)
- FHA protest against 'Hanuman : Warrior Boy' game (19 Apr 09)
- Hindus urge Sony to withdraw Hanuman video game (18 Apr 09)
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Hanuman Videogame: Hindus give Worldwide boycott to SONY PS products
June 2, 2009
Jyeshtha Shuddha Dashami
Perturbed over Sony’s “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” videogame and further vexed by stiff-necked attitude of Sony officials, various Hindu groups have given worldwide boycott call against Sony PlayStation products.
Spearheaded by acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who said that Hanuman game “trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism”; various Hindu groups/leaders who have jointly given the boycott call include Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening in USA; Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha of Australia; Hindu Janajagruti Samiti headquartered in India; Jawahar L. Khurana, Chairperson of Hindu Alliance of India; Lila D. Sharma, President of India Heritage Panel; Dharam Loonaa, Executive Director of Universal Society of Hinduism; and Rakesh Nagpal, General Secretary of Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha. Besides Hindus, they have also urged other religious/spiritual people/groups of the world also not to buy Sony PlayStation products.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, in an earlier statement, said that in a video game set-up, the player controlled the destiny of Lord Hanuman while in reality the believers put the destinies of themselves in the hands of their deities. Zed further said that immature handling of the issue by Sony, which is said to be a socially responsible and ethical corporation, saddened them. He also urged Sony to create a high-level check system so that denigrations like this did not happen in the future.
According to Shinde, Hindu leaders communicated their displeasure to Sony and tried to resolve the issue through discussions, but callous attitude of Sony officials frustrated their efforts, leaving them with no other alternative except the boycott call. She said that they would re-evaluate their protest movement in the near future and look into requesting the major wholesalers and retailers of videogames, in India and wherever else this videogame was launched, not to carry it. They would also consider boycotting all Sony products during this re-evaluation.
Hindus have been demanding the withdrawal of recently launched Sony PlayStation2 video game “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” and apology from Sony for creating it by May 21, arguing that reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Controlling and manipulating Lord Hanuman with a joystick/ button/keyboard/mouse was denigration.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman and headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world.
Hanuman Videogame: Hindus to give boycott call to SONY products
May 14, 2009
Vaishakh Krushna Panchami
Hindus upset over Sony’s “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” videogame and further frustrated by the callous handling by Sony officials, might give a boycott call of all Sony products world over.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that despite communication between Sony officials and Hindu leaders, the issue had not been resolved yet. Sony officials said that they would look into it and be back with the Hindu leaders, but they were yet to hear back from Sony.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that if nothing was heard by Hindu leaders from Sony by May 21, then all the protesting Hindu groups and leaders would re-evaluate the protest and announce the future course, which might include calling for boycott of Sony products world over by Hindus and other likeminded people and supporters. It might also include requesting the major wholesalers and retailers of videogames, in India and wherever else this videogame was launched, not to carry it.
Hindus have been demanding the withdrawal of recently launched Sony PlayStation2 video game “Hanuman: Boy Warrior”, saying it trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism, and apology from Sony for creating it.
Rajan Zed has argued that reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Furthering Zed’s drive, various other Hindu leaders and groups world over have also asked for withdrawal of “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman and headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world.
Hindus to intensify protest against SONY's video game
May 5, 2009
Vaishakh Shuddha Ekadashi
Hindus are re-energizing their protest demanding the withdrawal of Sony PlayStation2 video game “Hanuman: Boy Warrior”, saying it trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism.
The protest, spearheaded by acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, was suspended for few days to give Sony Corporation some time to “review this issue” and come up with a possible solution. In view of no positive response from Sony, Hindus are planning to widen the protest.
Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, in a communication to Sony officials today, said, “So now we are left with no other alternative except to intensify our protests. Lord Hanuman is a highly revered Deity for us Hindus and we cannot accept any more denigration of Him.”
Shinde also wrote, “We are shocked at the stubbornness of Sony Corporation not to withdraw the PlayStation2 game 'Hanuman: boy warrior' despite our repeated requests. Sony Corporation is held in high esteem the world over with high ethical principles. We were expecting that Sony would not hurt the feelings of the one billion strong Hindu population for a minor product like this game.”
As a next step in protest, Hindus are planning to request the major wholesalers and retailers of video games in India not to carry Sony’s Hanuman video game.
Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, has argued that reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Furthering Zed’s drive, various other Hindu leaders and groups world over have also asked for withdrawal of “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman and headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world.
SONY agrees to review Hindus’ withdrawal demand of video game
April 30, 2009
Vaishakh Shuddha Shashthi
Sony Corporation has agreed to look into the issue of objections of Hindus against their newly released controversial “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game for PlayStation2.
Replying to the communiqué of Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, Keita Sanekata of Sony Electronics Inc wrote, “We will review this issue, and get back to you as soon as possible.”
Advancing the protest spearheaded by acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, Shinde earlier wrote Sanekata to “look into withdrawing this game and publishing an apology, so as to prevent further denigration of our Deity Sree Hanuman and intensifying of our protests”.
Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, had earlier urged Sony Corporation to withdraw the “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game, saying it trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism.
Shinde wrote, “Using a sacred figure from Hinduism, namely, the Hindus' revered Deity, Sree Hanuman, as a character in a video game is highly objectionable to us Hindus worldwide… As an ethical corporation, Sony is expected to treat with respect the objects and concepts held sacred by the one-billion-strong Hindu community.”
Many other Hindu leaders/groups world over have joined the protest, including Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha based in Australia; Hindu Janajagruti Samiti headquartered in India; Jawahar L. Khurana, Chairperson of Hindu Alliance of India; Lila D. Sharma, President of India Heritage Panel; Dharam Loonaa, Executive Director of Universal Society of Hinduism; and Rakesh Nagpal, General Secretary of Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha; urging Sony for urgent withdrawal of “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world.
Kuwait Hindus protest against SONY's defamatory video game
April 26, 2009
Vaishakh Shuddha Pratipada/Dwitiya
Kuwait : A Staunch Hindu has protested against SONY's video game, 'Hanuman : Boy Warrior' defaming Sree Hanuman on the behalf of Kuwait Hindu Association.
Protest letter by Kuwait Hindu Association :
From: satyam pattanayak <satyampattanayak@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Subject: Protest For 'Hanuman: Boy Warrion`
To: Atindriya_Bose@scee.net
Dear Mr. Atindriya Bose,
Au must be knowing this game is hurting hindu centiments ,,So as a hindu activist from Kuwait we peacefully request you to withdraw this game from the market...In the whole world every hindu organisations has protested against this game ..
Withdrawing this game from the market will prevent sony corporation from facing any Legal action in India..
Thanking you ,
Satyam
Kuwait Hindu Assotiation
Hindus worldwide to intensify protest against SONY's 'Hanuman: Warrior Boy'
April 24, 2009
Chaitra Krushna Chaturdashi
In absence of any satisfactory response from Sony Corporation, Hindus are planning to intensify their protest movement for withdrawal of its controversial “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game for PlayStation2.
Spearheaded by acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who has stressed that this game “trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism”, many other Hindu leaders/groups world over have joined the protest.
Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening in USA found the video game “highly objectionable to us Hindus worldwide” and asked Sony to withdraw it at the earliest and publish an apology, besides requesting distributors/sellers of games to exclude it.
Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha based in Australia found it “very disrespectful, disgraceful and an insult” to Hindus and besides its immediate removal, also requested Sony to issue an apology.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti headquartered in India appealed to Sony to immediately withdraw the game, render unconditional apology to Hindus for hurting religious sentiments, and assure of not repeating such acts in future.
Furthering the drive pioneered by Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism; Jawahar L. Khurana, Chairperson of Hindu Alliance of India; Lila D. Sharma, President of India Heritage Panel; Dharam Loonaa, Executive Director of Universal Society of Hinduism; and Rakesh Nagpal, General Secretary of Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha; have also urged Sony for urgent withdrawal of “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game.
Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, pointed out that as Sony’s Corporate Social Responsibility stated, “Sony responds swiftly when a problem arises by investigating the facts and taking appropriate action”, Sony should immediately withdraw this game showing some “responsibility” to its hurt Hindu customers worldwide. Moreover Sony should create a high-level check system so that denigrations like this did not happen in the future.
Businesses should handle faiths with utmost care and sensitivity and should not reshape the religious concepts merely to fulfill their financial greed, Zed argued.
Rajan Zed had earlier stated that reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay. Lord Hanuman was not meant to be reduced to just a “character” in a video game to solidify company/products base in the growing economy of India.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman and headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world.
HJS writes letter against 'Hanuman: Boy Warrior', SONY replies
April 24, 2009
Chaitra Krushna Chaturdashi
HJS sent protest letter against 'Hanuman : Boy Warrior' game to SONY, to tell how it is wrong to create such game & how it could affect them in future. SONY has also given answer to HJS, which is given below.
Protest letter written to SONY by HJS
HINDU JANAJAGRUTI SAMITI
Reg No: 1540/1-634, 12-11-2002, Ponda Goa
B G-3, Ground floor, Marvil Apartments, Phase II St. Cruz, Ponda, Goa. 403401 INDIA
Tel.: (0832) 2312665 Mobile : 09326103278
email: pravakta@hindujagruti.org
To,
Atindriya Bose
Country Manager at Sony Computer Entertainment
India
Namaste Sir,
On behalf of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, I take this opportunity to communicate with you. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is non political, charitable organization working for the awakening of Hindus and educating the Hindus about their Dharma. Our details can be obtained on our website at http://www.hindujagruti.org/about-us/ . This is in relation to your “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game for PlayStation2 which has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus all over the world.
As per the news Sony invites wrath of Hindus by releasing “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” http://www.topnews.in/sony-invites-wrath-hindus-releasing-hanuman-boy-warrior-2154071 , Shri Rajan Zed of USA, Shri Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha (Australia), Smt Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening USA, have all expressed their views on as to how it is hurting the sentiments of Hindus. More detailed news at http://breakingupdate.com/news/hindus-demand-sony-corp-halt-hanuman-video-game-41884.html
In response to this you have made a statement “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” is appealing to the Indian Hindu audiences” at http://www.topnews.in/sony-invites-wrath-hindus-releasing-hanuman-boy-warrior-2154071 which is contradictory and misleading and further made a statement "Since we are not aware of their exact point of objection, we are in no position to comment on our plan of action. However, we are keeping a tab of the situation and hope to resolve it soon."
We are unable to understand this response from the company and specially you (Your name suggests you are a Hindu) of a multinational company of repute which has a substantial market in Hindu dominant India. The far fetched consequences could be boycott of your products which could hit your sales and market and blacklist you as 'Anti-Hindu'. So also as there are international protests from Hindus all over the world your Global market sales would also be hit.
Would the company even think of doing games on the Muslim’s Prophet or Jesus or for that matter on any non Hindu Gods? Is it because Hindus are tolerant that they are taken for granted?
We kindly appeal to you to -
1. Immediately withdraw this game from the market and prevent further insult of Hindus sentiments.
2. Render an unconditional apology to Hindus the world over for hurting of religious sentiments and assure of not repeating such acts in future.
We look forward to your prompt reply and response.
Shubhkamnaye,
Dr.Manoj Solanki
Spokesperson
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Goa (India)
Answer given by SONY to HJS
Hello Dr. Solanki,
Namaskar.
At the onset, I thank you for writing directly expressing your feelings about the new game of Hanuman : Boy Warrior. We take your concerns very seriously and would also like to reassure you towards our seriousness towards the divine nature of Hanumanji.
One of the response you have quoted is "Since we are not aware of their exact point of objection, we are in no position to comment on our plan of action. However, we are keeping a tab of the situation and hope to resolve it soon." This is a response given to a journalist at the initial stages when the reports started appearing. For obvious reason, we wanted to have a complete understanding of the reports appearing in the websites and be able to respond more meaningfully and with complete clarity. We have also been able to write directly to Shri Vamsi Krishna and Smt Bhavna Shinde explaining our reasoning towards using the character of Hanumanji in the interactive platform.
The game, Hanuman : Boy Warrior, which is currently only available in India, was developed with inspiration from the Hindu mythology and at every step, prominent Indian scholars were consulted. The aim of the game has always been to encourage young Indians to celebrate the stories of Lord Hanuman and to help bring these key lessons to life. The characterisation of Hanuman is true to the actual depictions in Indian mythology, both in terms of the look as well as the powers that he has. The game has been developed with the Indian value systems and depicts a merciful winning of Good over Evil, something that is synonymous with Hanuman as a character. When creating the game, at no stage were any liberties taken to deviate from the divine power and nature of Hanuman. The endeavour actually focusses on using the powerful interactive form to bring the various mythological characters of India to the Indian audience.
We have full respect for Lord Hanuman and the devotion Hanumanji evokes - all these values have been imbibed in the storyline. I sincerely hope that your concerns over the game is addressed and you will also recognise the respect with which the whole game was created.
Regards,
Atindriya Bose
SONY India
Hindus strongly protest against SONY's 'Hanuman: Boy Warrior'
April 22, 2009
Chaitra Krushna Dwadashi
Nevada (USA): Sony Corporation has inadvertently invited the wrath of many Hindu groups by releasing its new video console game “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” for its PlayStation2. The Hindus from many parts of the world are feeling hurt and angry that Sony has used the Hindu god as the protagonist in the video game.
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Hindus have launched protest movements against Sony, demanding the immediate removal of the video game from the market. The US and Australia-based Hindu groups have started online protest campaign against Sony.
"Hindus in Australia and USA have started this movement and posted their requests on the web. Till this time, there has been no direct communication with the said groups and we haven't received any intimation from them officially," said SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) PlayStation country manager Atindriya Bose.
The protesting Hindu groups are not only demanding the removal of the video game from the market, but are also seeking an apology from Sony. According to Rajan Zed, the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, Sony’s video game “trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism”. According to Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha (Australia), it is “very disrespectful, disgraceful and an insult to all those devotees of Lord Hanuman and followers of Hindu dharma.”
Vamsi Krishna has stated that this video game should be removed from the market, with immediate effect, before it causes further unrest in the Hindu community worldwide and Sony should offer serious apology to the Hindus.
According to Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, the use of “sacred figure from Hinduism, namely, the Hindus' revered Deity, Sree Hanuman, as a character in a video game is highly objectionable to us, Hindus worldwide.” She has demanded that Sony should “withdraw this video game, "Hanuman: Boy Warrior" at the earliest, and publish an apology to the Hindu community and Hanuman devotees worldwide.” She has requested the video game distributors and vendors to exclude "Hanuman: Boy Warrior".
On the contrary, according to Bose, “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” is appealing to the Indian Hindu audiences. When Mr. Bose was asked that what was Sony planning to do in response to the Hindu protests, Bose replied, "Since we are not aware of their exact point of objection, we are in no position to comment on our plan of action. However, we are keeping a tab of the situation and hope to resolve it soon." “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” is the game owned by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's (SCEE). It is the first game that Sony has released in Hindi and English languages. It is available for Rs 499.
Source: topnews.in
FHA protest against 'Hanuman : Warrior Boy' game
Chaitra Krushna Navami
April 19, 2009
||Sree||
Namaste!
We are writing to you to support Hindu leader Rajan Zed's protest of Sony Corporation's newly released video game, "Hanuman: Boy Warrior" for PlayStation2. Using a sacred figure from Hinduism, namely, the Hindus' revered Deity, Sree Hanuman, as a character in a video game is highly objectionable to us Hindus worldwide.
As an ethical corporation, Sony is expected to treat with respect the objects and concepts held sacred by the one-billion-strong Hindu community. We urge you to withdraw this video game, "Hanuman: Boy Warrior" at the earliest, and publish an apology to the Hindu community and Hanuman devotees worldwide.
Sincerely,
Bhavna Shinde
www.ForumForHinduAwakening.org
Hindus urge Sony to withdraw Hanuman video game
Chaitra Krushna Ashtami
April 18, 2009
Hindus have urged Sony Corporation to withdraw the newly released “Hanuman: Boy Warrior” video game for PlayStation2, saying it trivializes the highly revered deity of Hinduism.
Nevada (USA): Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that in a video game set-up, the player would control the destiny of Lord Hanuman while in reality the believers put the destinies of themselves in the hands of their deities.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Controlling and manipulating Lord Hanuman with a joystick/ button/keyboard/mouse was denigration.. Lord Hanuman was not meant to be reduced to just a “character” in a video game to solidify company/products base in the growing economy of India.
Rajan Zed further said that as a PlayStation2 video game, Lord Hanuman would be in the company of America's 10 Most Wanted, Bad Boys, Barbie, Britney's Dance Beat, First Kiss Stories, Guitar Freaks, Jackass, Killer7, Looney Tunes, Mafia, Mercenaries, Midnight Club, Mister Mosquito, Nicktoons, Psychonauts, Scooby Doo, Truckers, etc.
Zed explained that Lord Hanuman was greatly revered and his worship was very popular among Hindus and there were numerous temples dedicated to him. Son of wind-god, besides incredible strength and changing shape at will and flying, he was believed to be a perfect grammarian, great scholar and excelled in all the sciences. According to a legend, even while he was still an infant, he intimidated the sun. In Mahabharata war, flag on Arjuna’s chariot driven by Lord Krishna displayed Lord Hanuman. According to a belief, all the planets were under his control.
Rajan Zed pointed out that as Sony was said to be a socially responsible and ethical corporation, it would effectively understand the feelings of Hindu community on this issue. According to PlayStation Network website: “This game is a “growing up” story of Hanuman, where he starts as a powerless being and regains his powers through the game.”
Zed suggested that India and all other countries of the world should come up with national content rating organizations for video games as these seriously affected the outlook and thought process of our next generation. Till India came up with such organization, Central Board of Film Certification should be given the authority of rating and deciding whether the particular video game was suitable for public distribution in India.
Rajan Zed stressed that Hindus were for free speech as much as anybody else if not more. Hindu tradition encouraged peaceful debates, won on their intellectual merit. But faith was something sacred and attempts at belittling it hurt the devotees. Video game makers should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects, as these games left lasting impact on the minds of highly impressionable children, teens and other young people.
Hindus welcomed entertainment industry to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not for refashioning Hinduism concepts and symbols for mercantile greed. Hindus would gladly provide genuine entertainment industry seekers the resources they needed for their study and research regarding Hinduism, Zed stated.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. No faith, larger or smaller, should be plundered, Rajan Zed said.
Sony, founded in 1946, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with consolidated annual sales of about $89 billion, is headquartered in Tokyo (Japan). Howard Stringer is the Chairman.
Protest letters written to SONY by Devout Hindus
1) E-mail by Dr. S. Kalyanaraman
From: S. Kalyanaraman <kalyan97@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 5, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Subject: Withdraw the Sony game on Hanuman
To: Atindriya_Bose@scee.net
Dear Shri Bose,
I demand the video game Play Station 2 titled Hanuman - The Boy Warrior be instantly withdrawn and the company should apologize to the Hindus.
I will boycott Sony products and will urge my friends in the email list to do the same, if you do not respond to this demand.
I am piqued that such a large corporation like Sony does not respect the sentiments of the practitioners of the most ancient of all religions. I challenge you to make a game featuring Allah or Prophet Mohammed, you dare not.
Don''t play with sentiments of a billion people.
yours,
Dr. S. Kalyanaraman
Sarasvati Research Centre
kalyan97@gmail.com
2) E-mail by Shri. Gadoya, Canada
From: Dewang Gadoya <dewang.g@gmail.com>
Subject: WE PROTEST || Please stop this Denigration
To: scee_presscentre@scee.net, Atindriya_Bose@scee.net
Respected Sir's
I am sure that you must have been receiving quite a few mails, e-mails and phone calls regarding what you have done. It is a known fact that you and your company have done a crime against the Hindus and in turn a crime towards humanity by creating a game out of the most revered Deity and the symbol of strength Lord Sree Hanuman. It seems your CEO's and your game developers think they are bigger then Lord Rama Himself as He has given the blessing to Lord Hanuman that He will always be victorious and in this game one can loose in front of negative energies and demons.
For multi-nationals like yourselves it is becoming increasingly a common practice to aggravate the Hindus for financial gains. Only because some of the Hindus are gullible it does not mean a one billion strong Hindu community will remain silent and will not protest. Why could not you look at any other religion and take their religious symbols to put in a game. Only because you think we are tolerant you will get away with it. I would have personally love to see you mocking some other religion and see what would have happened to your company in India and internationally and all of you management would have been running around to save your own skins.
Please let me remind you that we are not weak nor we will remain silent any more and we too can show our strength remember the number the one billion strong Hindu community can simply stop buying your products and then where will you be. It almost make up 33% of your sales revenue annually. Have you ever thought about that. You thought you will make a quick buck and that would be the end of it but it seems that there is no one in your company who thinks far ahead and will now have to face the consequences.
I have already banning your merchandise and so has my family and also my wife and her family has already started giving up your products and this is going to be your steady decline from now onwards.
Namaskar
Dewang and Rishita Gadoya
Staunch Hindus from Canada
3) Reply to Atindiya Bose's e-mail by Shri. Nilesh Joshi
From: Joshi, Nilesh
To: 'Atindriya_Bose@scee.net'
Cc: 'scee_presscentre@scee.net'
Subject: RE: Vedio game matter
Dear Mr. Bose,
Thanks for your mail.
I hope, you will agree that the respect about anybody or anything must be reflected in the form of good work / creation.
Can you see your parents in the form of “cartoons” in the video game? If yes, do you think your children when play with “these cartoons” will respect them as their grandparents? Do you think your children will not have the feeling that our grandparents are “just the cartoons” who can be controlled by our fingers? Or I can bow them down as per my wish with my fingers?
Do you think this is a good lesson to new generation of our country?
Your mail says that you have consulted “prominent Indian scholars”. Who are they? Have you consulted any Hindu Saint or any Respected Shankaracharya? Are they prominent scholars in Hindu religion “study and practice”? If they know Hindu religion and they are practicing Hindu Philosophy, they should have stopped you before insulting Lord Hanuman through game Hanuman: Boy Warrior at the beginning itself.
Any “prominent scholar” in “History” must not be consulted for solving the problem in “Economics”. Do you agree this or not?
Your mail below says about the divine power and nature of Lord Hanuman. I as a Hindu respect this and expect that these divine characteristics must be presented with the same divine way. These divine characteristics of Gods are the pliers of our daily life. As per advice of my advocate “hurting the religious feeling of anybody” is crime as per Indian Pinal Code 295 (A). We as a team are seeking legal advice on this matter.
Mr. Bose, in my opinion, your mail below is only justification of the mistake you or your company has made.
I sincerity request you to stop this and similar games and publish your apology.
Awaiting a positive response from you this time.
Thanks,
Nilesh Joshi
4) E-mail sent to SONY by Shri. Prashant Kulkarni
Hi,
I am an Indian, Hindu by religion and a strong devotee of Lord Hanuman.
I here by peacefully request you to please stop denigration of Lord Hanuman that you have planned to do through your new Video Game.
Lord Hanuman is an inevitable part of Indian Mythology and is highly worshiped GOD.
You have no rights to make it a toy and give his destiny in hands of kids.
Please change the character you have chosen for this game. No one has rights to play with our religious sentiments.
Please do it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and let me and all Indians know about it.
Please work on this sincere request.
Thanks,
Prashant Balkrishna Kulkarni
5) E-mail sent to SONY by Shri. Girish Lokhande
From: Girish Lokhande <girishlokhande23@gmail.com>
Date: May 7, 2009 12:11 PM
Subject: withdrawal of Sony PlayStation2 video game “Hanuman: Boy Warrior”
To: scee_presscentre@scee.net, Atindriya_Bose@scee.net, Riley_Russell@playstation.sony.com, HoneyMae.Kenworthy@am.sony.com, Judy.hillerman@am.sony.com, keita.sanekata@am.sony.com, kimberly_otzman@playstation.sony.com, Patrick_Seybold@playstation.sony.com, richard.clancy@am.sony.com
Respected All,
I demand the video game Play Station 2 titled Hanuman - The Boy Warrior be instantly withdrawn and the company should apologize to the Hindus.
I will boycott Sony products and will urge my friends in the email list to do the same, if you do not respond to this demand.
Also I will request all the 1 Billion Hindus all over world to ban the sony products .
In a video game set-up, the player would control the destiny of Lord Hanuman while in reality the believers put the destinies of themselves in the hands of their deities. You should stop publishing this game ASAP & apologies to all hindu's.
Reimagining Hindu scriptures and deities for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Controlling and manipulating Lord Hanuman with a joystick/ button/keyboard/mouse is denigration.. Lord Hanuman is not meant to be reduced to just a “character” in a video game to solidify company/products base in the growing economy of India.
Lord Hanuman is greatly revered and his worship is very popular among Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to him.
Sony was said to be a socially responsible and ethical corporation, it would effectively understand the feelings of Hindu community on this issue. According to PlayStation Network website: “This game is a “growing up” story of Hanuman, where he starts as a powerless being and regains his powers through the game.” This is a denegration of Lord Hanuman.
As per advice of my advocate “hurting the religious feeling of anybody” is crime as per Indian Pinal Code 295 (A). We as a team are seeking legal advice on this matter.
I sincerity request you all to stop this and similar games and publish your apology.
Awaiting a positive response from you this time.
Thanks,
Girish Lokhande
Pune, India
6) E-mail sent by Shashi Daswani to SONY
From: shashi daswani <shashidaswani@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sony's Hanuman warrior boy -truly disgusting !
To: atindriya_bose@scee.net, riley_russell@playstation.sony.com, honeymae.kenworthy@am.sony.com, judy.hillerman@am.sony.com, keita.sanekata@am.sony.com, kimberly_otzman@playstation.sony.com, patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, richard.clancy@am.sony.com
Respected members of Sony corporation,
I was utterly disgusted to see your game Hanuman warrior boy and the way it defames my religion, Hinduism.
I would just like to ask you how you would feel if a game called Jesus Christ was released in which Jesus can be moved with the control of a joystick and can be killed by others.
I will start a protest with a mass boycott of all Sony products and am ready to conduct street protests for exposing Sony corporation's anti- Hindu attitude if this disgusting game is not withdrawn immediately.
Yours indignantly,
Shashi Daswani
7) E-mail sent by Dr. vijaylakshmi to SONY
From: Vijayalakshmi G <gviji06@gmail.com>
Subject: Request to withdraw "Hanuman:Boy Warrior" video-game.
To: Atindriya_Bose@scee.net, scee_presscentre@scee.net
Hindus write letter to Japanese ambassador to India against SONY
To,
Mr. Hideaki Domichi
Ambassador of Japan to India
New Delhi.
Your Excellency,
I write this to strongly protest the blasphemous act of one of your country's best-known corporations, M/S Sony Corporation.
Sony's Indian company has introduced a game called as Hanuman - The Boy Warrior. Here's a link to the product:
Please go through the description of the game:
http://in.playstation.com/ps2/games/hanuman-boy-warrior/index.html
(If good players play, Hanuman wins; but in the hands of a novice, Hanuman loses in the game. So Hanuman is an object of game. This is objectionable and blasphemous. We have no objections if it is a cartoon or film correctly depicted without deviation from the Itihasa and Puranas.)
Hanuman is one of the most revered Gods of Hindu religion. To make the most worshipful Hanuman as an object of game is blasphemous and hurts the sentiments of a billion Hindus, the world over. I am aghast at the attempt of the Japanese company to reduce an Indian God to the levels of a batman, a spiderman, a superman and a He-man. This hurts us and no amount of explanations would ease our sense of deep hurt.
Strong protests through mail have started being sent to the Indian office of Sony, but it appears that the Japanese Company's Indian representative does not appear to see the reason that using Hanuman as an object of game has hurt the feelings of the Hindus.
I have challenged through him if Sony would make a similar game out of Allah or Prophet or Jesus, for which he chose to remain silent. This game is in total disregard to the sensitivities of a billion people.
I am sure that as sensible and sensitive people, the Japanese would take our feelings into account and immediately order the Indian Sony subsidiary to withdraw the game product. Please use your good offices to let Mr. Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President:Sony Corporation know of this serious hurt caused to Hindus worldwide because of the indifference of their Indian company and its officials.
I would urge my fellow Hindus to boycott all Japanese products, specially the ones from Sony Corporation, until this game is withdrawn from the markets.
Yours truly,
S V Badri
Chennai
India
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