Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
International

'Hinduphobic' CNN Presenter Reza Aslan Eats Human Brain Live On Camera, Sparks Backlash

Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 Mar, 2017 01:01 PM
    CNN television presenter Reza Aslan has caused shock and consternation across the board by eating a human brain on camera while filming with an obscure Hindu sect. Members of the religion's mainstream have widely condemned the act.
     
    The host of "Believer with Reza Aslan" was in India to meet with ascetic members of the Aghori sect. The six-episode "spiritual adventures series", was premiered last week. 
     
    The show explores the facts and myths behind the Aghori, a mystical Hindu sect known for extreme rituals. 
     
    Aslan also drank from a human skull and was pelted with faeces by a guru.
     
    The footage prompted a backlash from critics who accused him of painting a false and extreme picture of Hinduism, with America's only Hindu Member of Congress Tulsi Gabbard tweeting: "I am very disturbed that CNN is using its power and influence to increase people's misunderstanding and fear of Hinduism."
     
    "Aslan apparently sought to find sensationalist and absurd ways to portray Hinduism. Aslan and CNN didn't just throw a harsh light on a sect of wandering ascetics to create shocking visuals -- as if touring a zoo -- but repeated false stereotypes about caste, karma and reincarnation that Hindus have been combating tirelessly," she added.
     
    "CNN promotional materials and trailers that included a scene showing a group of Hindus under a caption "CANNIBALS", perpetuated bizarre and ugly impressions of Hindus and their religion," Gabbard said.
     
    Aslan met the Aghori group in Varanasi after which they smeared the ashes from burnt bodies on his face.
     
     
    The 44-year-old Iranian scholar was then asked to drink alcohol from a skull, before being presented with human meat to eat, the Independent reported on Friday.
     
    After the shoot, Aslan shared a post on Facebook. "Want to know what a dead guy's brain tastes like? Charcoal. It was burnt to a crisp!" he wrote.
     
    The Aghori were described as "cannibals" by CNN when promoting the documentary, though they only eat the flesh of people who have died of natural causes.
     
    Eminent Indian-American Shalabh Kumar, a top supporter of the US President Donald Trump had earlier slammed the show and said, "this is a disgusting attack on Hinduism."
     
    In a tweet, Kumar said, "Hinduism has been attacked because a large number of Hindu Americans supported Trump during the election campaign."
     
    "I condemn @rezaaslan, CNN for airing Believer with fiction. Disgusting attack on Hindus for supporting @POTUS @stephenkbannon @newtgingrich," Kumar, also the founder of Republican Hindu Coalition, said in a tweet.
     
     
    CNN's "Believer with Reza Aslan" show promotes xenophobia and Hinduphobia, alleged Ajay Shah of American Hindus Against Defamation.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Trump Administration Seeks 60 Days To Respond On Work Permits Of H1B Spouses

    The Trump Administration has sought 60 days to respond to a court case that challenges the decision of the previous Obama Administration to authorise spouses of H1B spouses to work in the US.

    Trump Administration Seeks 60 Days To Respond On Work Permits Of H1B Spouses

    Justin Trudeau Is More Concerned About Diversity Than Competence: Kevin O'Leary

    Conservative leadership hopeful Kevin O'Leary says the prime minister has ended up with a mediocre cabinet because he was more concerned about diversity than competence.

    Justin Trudeau Is More Concerned About Diversity Than Competence: Kevin O'Leary

    ‘G’ Is For Gun, ‘S ‘ Is For Sniper In ISIS Textbooks

    ‘G’ Is For Gun, ‘S ‘ Is For Sniper In ISIS Textbooks
    The textbooks, Iraqi troops found at an orphanage when they liberated eastern Mosul last month, are titled 'English for the Islamic State'.

    ‘G’ Is For Gun, ‘S ‘ Is For Sniper In ISIS Textbooks

    Women Go On Strike In US To Show Their Economic Clout

    Women Go On Strike In US To Show Their Economic Clout
    PHILADELPHIA — American women stayed home from work, zipped up their wallets, wore red and joined rallies across the country to demonstrate their economic clout Wednesday as part of International Women's Day events around the globe.

    Women Go On Strike In US To Show Their Economic Clout

    Balwinder Singh Gets 15 Years In US Jail For Planning Terror Strikes In India For Khalistan Movement

    Balwinder Singh Gets 15 Years In US Jail For Planning Terror Strikes In India For Khalistan Movement
    US District Judge Larry Hicks in Reno also ordered Balwinder Singh to remain under lifetime federal supervision upon his release from prison after prosecutors argued that Singh has had ties to known terrorist groups in India for more than two decades.

    Balwinder Singh Gets 15 Years In US Jail For Planning Terror Strikes In India For Khalistan Movement

    New Zealand Doesn’t Condone Race-based Abuse, Says Envoy After Indian’s Assault

    New Zealand Doesn’t Condone Race-based Abuse, Says Envoy After Indian’s Assault
    New Zealand does not condone race-based abuse in any form, its acting High Commissioner Suzannah Jessep on Tuesday said, a day after an Indian national was allegedly assaulted and subjected to a racist tirade in that country.

    New Zealand Doesn’t Condone Race-based Abuse, Says Envoy After Indian’s Assault