Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

    Indian-Americans Launch Online Petition To Clearly Denounce Kansas Killing

    Indian-Americans Launch Online Petition To Clearly Denounce Kansas Killing
    Indian-Americans have launched an online petition calling upon US President Donald Trump to "clearly and unequivocally" denounce the fatal shooting of an Indian engineer in an apparent hate crime in Kansas city.

    Indian-Americans Launch Online Petition To Clearly Denounce Kansas Killing

    Donald Trump's Spy Pick 'Shocked' By India Launching 104 Satellites

    Donald Trump's Spy Pick 'Shocked' By India Launching 104 Satellites
    US President Donald Trump's nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, has said he was "shocked" to know that India successfully launched over 100 satellites in one go, asserting that the US cannot afford to be seen lagging behind.

    Donald Trump's Spy Pick 'Shocked' By India Launching 104 Satellites

    Donald Trump's Canada-Like Merit-Based Immigration Proposal Could Benefit Indians

    Donald Trump's Canada-Like Merit-Based Immigration Proposal Could Benefit Indians
    US President Donald Trump's proposal for a merit-based immigration system has the potential to benefit Indians, a large number of whom have high levels of education and skills.

    Donald Trump's Canada-Like Merit-Based Immigration Proposal Could Benefit Indians

    Indian-Origin Cartoonist In South Africa Asked To Shut His Design School

    Indian-Origin Cartoonist In South Africa Asked To Shut His Design School
    Well-known Indian-origin South African cartoonist Nanda Sooben, who often caricatures leading political figures, has been asked by the government to shut his design school, his supporters said.

    Indian-Origin Cartoonist In South Africa Asked To Shut His Design School

    'Monster Now Devouring Its Own Creator': India Slams Pakistan At Geneva Session

    'Monster Now Devouring Its Own Creator': India Slams Pakistan At Geneva Session
    Pakistan created terror outfits against India and the "monster" is now devouring its own creator, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva said on Wednesday.

    'Monster Now Devouring Its Own Creator': India Slams Pakistan At Geneva Session

    University Of California Lays Off IT Workers, Jobs Head To India

    University Of California Lays Off IT Workers, Jobs Head To India
    The university announced the plan last July as a way to save $30 million over five years

    University Of California Lays Off IT Workers, Jobs Head To India