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Hindu extremism in Gujrat takes centerstage on PBS investigative program
Wide Angle
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A
U.S.-based Hindu nationalist organization has begun a campaign to
block the airing of a PBS program dealing with the controversial
issue of Muslim/Hindu relations in the embattled Indian province of
Gujarat.
Beginning
September 19, PBS will air "The Soul of India", the
current episode of PBS's new investigative news series Wide Angle.
In specific, the program will highlight the ongoing violent conflict
between Muslims and Hindus that has claimed some 2000 Muslim lives
and left another 150,000 displaced to refugee camps.
The
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Inc. (VHP) has requested via its
website (Vishwa
Hindu Parishad of America) that Hindus in America
pressure PBS over the broadcast. In a letter published on the site,
VHP General Secretary, Gaurang G. Vaishnav notes, "It is very
important that all Hindus rise in one voice against this blatant
propaganda against Hindus and Bharat, which of late has become a
pattern."
The
letter further sets out tactics for Hindus to use in confronting
PBS. These include contacting PBS to express concern over alleged
bias in Wide Angle's reporting, circulating petitions to have
the episode pulled from rotation and declining to support PBS during
its seasonal fundraising campaigns.
At
least one Muslim group, the Indian Muslim Council (IMC), has
responded to the VHP's efforts with a campaign of its own. In a
recent press release, IMC asks "all Americans to rise up and
defend the freedom of speech." IMC further request its
"members and supporters to launch a counter campaign in support
of freedom of speech."
At
issue is the episode's portrayal of Hindu nationalist and extremist
trends in India. The Wide Angle episode guide at PBS.org
notes:
The
bloody conflict between Hindus and Muslims in northwestern India is
at the forefront of a struggle for India's identity, led by an
increasingly powerful Hindu nationalist movement whose goal is to
turn India into a Hindu nation. Over the last three months, at least
850 Muslims have been killed -- some estimates go as high as 2,000
-- in the Province of Gujarat, and more than 100,000 Muslims have
fled to refugee camps.
The
VHP objects to such characterizations. However, news reports over
the past year – the Godhra train attack in which 58 Hindus died
notwithstanding – largely confirm Wide Angle's statistics
as well as its framing of the conflict.
PBS
will re-air Wide Angle's "The Soul of India"
throughout the week and over the weekend. Check local listings for
times.
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