Shiv Sena man files plaint against Netflix for 'Hinduphobic' content

Ramesh N Solanki, a Hindu activist and member of Shiv Sena's IT Cell, has filed a complaint against US-based digital media platform Netflix for defaming Hindus.

Solanki has alleged that the globally sought-after platform has been procuring and producing content that has been trying to paint an incorrect picture of Hindus and India globally.

Speaking to DNA, Solanki confirmed filing the complaint with the senior inspector of LT Marg police station here on Tuesday evening. "A copy along with a CD for video evidence will be submitted to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Commissioner of Police and the Cyber Cell tomorrow. Almost every series on Netflix India is with the intention to defame Hindus. 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," said Solanki.

Netflix did not respond to queries emailed by DNA seeking comments on the development.

The Sacred Games series, produced by Anurag Kashyap, shows Hindus responsible for all crimes happening in the world, including US killings. "Aham Brahmasami, a Vedic chant and a sacred hymn has 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 war against humanity. The film generalises a revered concept of Guruji in the Bharatiya school of thoughts. The agenda is to demean the Guru-Shishya parampara with overtly sexual gestures," Solanki wrote in his complaint.

"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 RSS 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 in the complaint.

Similarly, allegations have been made against Laila, a web series that indicates an 'Aryavrat' will be established in the country.

However, the way it is showcased is absurd, the plaint says. "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," the complainant states.

As for The Patriot Act, a stand-up show by Hasan Minhaj, an American comic of Indian origin, the plaint claims that the comedian is trying to spread propaganda over abrogation of Article 370.

The horror series Ghoul indicates that India, in order to curb terrorism is terrorising Muslims and snatching their fundamental rights, the plaint alleges.

The Indian Army is shown as the one killing people who are considered to be radical but who actually aren't. Custodial killings has been shown as a routine affair by the Army.

Solanki has urged the authorities to look into all the content outlined in his complaint and take necessary steps from summoning their team to cancelling their licences, as deemed fit.

"One cannot allow an incorrect generalisation based on bogus rhetorics (sic) trying to defame a religious minority i.e. Hindu in countries other than India," Solanki said in his complaint.