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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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