A member of the Shiv Sena, Ramesh Solanki has filed a complaint against Netflix – a US-based online streaming platform – alleging that its content portrays India and Hindus in a bad light globally.
Solanki is Shiv Sena’s Information Technology cell member and has cited examples of Netflix series like Sacred Games, Leila and Ghoul, along with the episodes of standup comedian Hasan Minhaj to show how the streaming platform is “defaming Hindus and India.”
“Almost every series on Netflix India is with the intention to defame the country on a global level. It is with deep-rooted Hinduphobia that the platform is portraying the nation in a bad light,” Solanki told ANI
While speaking to DNA, Ramesh Solanki added, “They are putting out content that’s portraying our nation in a bad light and it’s being done in the name of freedom of expression.”
He further said that he will submit a copy of his complaint along with the CD as a piece of evidence to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, commission of police and the cyber cell.
In the complaint, he mentioned that in Sacred Games, “Aham Brahmasami, a Vedic chant, and a sacred hymn have been framed as a war cry. People belonging to a cult greet each other with this hymn, suggesting that the hymn radicalises people to indulge in a war against humanity.”
Speaking to DNA, he also accused Netflix of demeaning “guru-shishya parampara with overtly sexual gestures” and targeting one of Rashtriya Swayamsevak’s leaders.
“One of our country’s social reformer is fondly called Guruji and this series seems to attack the revered person. To show the ruling dispensation is influenced by Guruji is to show that the Government of India is influenced by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and RSS’ Guruji will go for a nuclear war. That the RSS vide Guruji will use Muslims to spread terror. In order to avoid controversy, the producer suggested that the character is based on Rajneesh. Not the plot of the series but its agenda is a sinister plot,” he said.
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He also condemned the series Leila which, according to him, indicates that Aryavrat will be established in India.
“Aryavrat will be a land of bigots, casteists, Muslim-hating, women-hating patriarchal sect. The term ‘Aryavrat’ is an undertone to suggest that the Hindu Rashtra is/will be of this kind. The SC’s earlier verdict that was recently upheld said that Hindu is a way of life. And to suggest that the way of life will be like a radical cult is demeaning and hurts our religious sentiments,” he said.
Standup comedian Hasan Minhaj, according to him, is spreading false propaganda on the reading down of Article 370 by the central government.
In a similar picture, the Economic Times reported that Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinderpal Singh Bagga filed a complaint against Sacred Games director Anurag Kashyap accusing him of “disrespecting Sikhs and Hindu sentiments.”
Akali Dal Leader Majinder Singh Sirsa followed suit saying that the actor Saif Ali Khan is seen throwing away his Kada, a symbol of the Sikh community, into the sea.
I wonder why Bollywood continues to disrespect our religious symbols! Anurag Kashyap deliberatly puts this scene in #SacredGamesS2 where Saif Ali Khan throws his Kada in sea! A KADA is not an ordinary ornament. It’s the pride of Sikhs & a blessing of Guru Sahib @NetflixIndia @ANI pic.twitter.com/c2KMbJVrwA
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) August 19, 2019
According to NDTV, Solanki has urged the police to “take necessary legal action” against Netflix.
Also Read ‘Sacred Games’ Goes Where Our Silent News Media Doesn’t
“I urge the authorities to look into all of the above-mentioned content and take the necessary steps from summoning their team to cancelling their licenses as deemed fit. One cannot allow an incorrect generalisation based on bogus rhetoric trying to defame a religious minority, that is, Hindu in countries other than India,” he added.
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