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November 21, 2010 | Hindus protest over Newsweek cover showing Obama as Nataraja |
Nevada (US): Hindus are upset over the cover of November 22 edition of
American newsweekly Newsweek which depicts US President Barack Obama in Nataraja pose, saying that it trivializes their venerated deity Siva. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Lord Siva was a highly revered major deity in Hinduism meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines
and not to be used indecorously or thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dramatic effects. How a mortal could be depicted as Siva, who is the director of our destinies, Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked and added that inappropriate use of Hinduism concepts and symbols for pushing selfish agenda or mercantile greed was not okay. Rajan Zed argued that it was unnecessary dragging of a Hindu deity in American political wrangles by Newsweek to prove their point of view and urged Newsweek to publish a disclaimer about this on its website and the next issue with proper explanation of Nataraja, Siva,
and Hinduism. Zed stressed that 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 ridiculed
at. Rajan Zed pointed out that Hindus understood that the purpose of Newsweek
in this case apparently was not to denigrate Hinduism, but casual flirting like
this sometimes resulted in pillaging serious spiritual doctrines and revered symbols
and hurting the devotees. Humor was a part and parcel of Hindu society, but there
were certain convictions in every tradition, which were venerable and not meant
to be taken lightly. Zed further said that Hindus welcomed media to immerse in
Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not just for improper showing
of Hindu symbols and concepts to advance their commercial or other agenda. Hindus
were for free speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something
sacred and attempts at misusing it hurt the devotees. Media should be more sensitive
while handling faith related subjects and sacred symbols. This Newsweek cover
page is headlined as "GOD OF ALL THINGS". Nataraja (Lord of the dance) is a
well
known iconic representation of Lord Siva, symbolizing his salvific, destructive,
and creative roles; when he dances the world to destruction to create it again
as a chapter of the ongoing cosmic cycle. Siva, along with Brahma and Visnu, forms
the great triad of Hindu deities. Best known depiction of Nataraja is installed
in a Tamil Nadu temple in India. Newsweek, launched in 1933, is published from
New York City in four English language and 12 global editions and reportedly has
a worldwide circulation of over four million. Tina Brown is the editor. It is
owned by The Newsweek Daily Beast Company with Stephen Colvin as CEO and Sidney Harman as Executive Chairman.
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