HBO withdraws tweet where it asked which ‘Indian cult’ people are ‘most afraid of’, referring to Aghoris and Brahma Kumaris: Read their apology

Home Box Office (HBO) India has on Thursday apologised for referring to Aghori Babas and Brahma Kumaris as ‘Indian cults’ which could send a ‘chill down one’s spine’.

https://twitter.com/HBOINDIA/status/1321719567916265472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In a now deleted post, HBO India had tweeted, “From Aghori Babas to Brahma Kumaris, which Indian cult sends a chill down your spine?”

The post was meant for the promotion of the upcoming premiere of the 2019 film Doctor Sleep on the channel.

Criticism on social media

The posts received heavy criticism on social media platforms. ‘Doctor Sleep’ has nothing to do with India or Hinduism. Several users mentioned that it is an attempt to paint Hinduism in a bad light. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra wrote a tweet in which he asked the channel if they are still in doubt after the beheading in France that “which cult sends the worst Chill down the spine.” He further added that the channel “lack the Spine to call out the “Jihadists”!!”

https://twitter.com/sambitswaraj/status/1321676141414043649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/souravsnh/status/1321678323299229697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/sanjeevsanyal/status/1321665932436021249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Many pointed out how in some religions, ‘blasphemy’ leads to beheading.

https://twitter.com/Akhilakumar2013/status/1321689236660056066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/Rajput_Ramesh/status/1321684862248648704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

OTT platforms thrive on Hinduphobic content

A recent conversation with an industry insider had revealed how online streaming platforms thrive on the anger of Hindus on such Hinduphobic social media posts and content. Patal Lok, Aashram, etc. streamed by Alt Balaji, Netflix, Amazon Prime, MX Player and others have attracted harsh criticism for their Hinduphobic content. Last month, Netflix, in an attempt to ‘secularise’ Rabindranath Tagore’s classic ‘Kabuliwala’, distorted it to show a Hindu girl offering namaz. In Safdar Rahman’s ‘Chhipa’, netizens questioned Netflix for mocking Hindu god Lord Hanuman.