A Hindu group takes issue with the depiction of goddess Kali in the show's latest episode and is seeking an apology from FOX.
- Jan 29, 2015
AceShowbiz - A Hindu group has criticized "Sleepy Hollow" over its latest episode "Kali Yuga". In a statement, Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, said his group was offended by the "highly inappropriate" depiction of the Hindu goddess Kali on the show.
Zed explained, "Goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to worshiped in temples or home shrines and not to be thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dramatic effects in TV shows. Such absurd depiction of goddess Kali with no scriptural backing was hurtful to the devotees."
On the show, Vetala (a demonic spirit) was depicted as a demon servant of goddess Kali, while in Hindu beliefs, goddess Kali and Vetala are not connected. "It just seemed to be blatant twisting of the facts aimed at ratings and mercantile greed and maligning Hinduism in the process, " Zed added. "Such trivialization of goddess Kali was offensive to Hindus the world over."
He went on saying, "Faith is something sacred and attempts at belittling Hinduism hurt the devotees. Television should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects."
The group is seeking public apologies from those responsible for it, including 21st Century Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Fox Television Group Chairman Gary Newman, and creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Zed also urged FOX to add a disclaimer and not to "inappropriately and unnecessarily drag Hindu deities to advance the commercial or other agenda in the future."
