Removal of Netflix Film Shows Advancing Power of India's Hindu Right Wing (nytimes.com) 110
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: The trailer for "Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food" promised a sunny if melodramatic story of uplift in a south Indian temple town. A priest's daughter enters a cooking tournament, but social obstacles complicate her inevitable rise to the top. Annapoorani's father, a Brahmin sitting at the top of Hindu society's caste ladder, doesn't want her to cook meat, a taboo in their lineage. There is even the hint of a Hindu-Muslim romantic subplot. On Thursday, two weeks after the movie premiered, Netflix abruptly pulled it from its platform. An activist, Ramesh Solanki, a self-described "very proud Hindu Indian nationalist," had filed a police complaint arguing that the film was "intentionally released to hurt Hindu sentiments." He said it mocked Hinduism by "depicting our gods consuming nonvegetarian food."
The production studio quickly responded with an abject letter to a right-wing group linked to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apologizing for having "hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus and Brahmins community." The movie was soon removed from Netflix both in India and around the world, demonstrating the newfound power of Hindu nationalists to affect how Indian society is depicted on the screen. Nilesh Krishnaa, the movie's writer and director, tried to anticipate the possibility of offending some of his fellow Indians. Food, Brahminical customs and especially Hindu-Muslim relations are all part of a third rail that has grown more powerfully electrified during Mr. Modi's decade in power. But, Mr. Krishnaa told an Indian newspaper in November, "if there was something disturbing communal harmony in the film, the censor board would not have allowed it."
With "Annapoorani," Netflix appears to have in effect done the censoring itself even when the censor board did not. In other cases, Netflix now seems to be working with the board unofficially, though streaming services in India do not fall under the regulations that govern traditional Indian cinema. For years, Netflix ran unredacted versions of Indian films that had sensitive parts removed for their theatrical releases -- including political messages that contradicted the government's line. Since last year, though, the streaming versions of movies from India match the versions that were censored locally, no matter where in the world they are viewed. [...] Nikhil Pahwa, a co-founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation, thinks the streaming companies are ready to capitulate: "They're unlikely to push back against any kind of bullying or censorship, even though there is no law in India" to force them.
The production studio quickly responded with an abject letter to a right-wing group linked to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apologizing for having "hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus and Brahmins community." The movie was soon removed from Netflix both in India and around the world, demonstrating the newfound power of Hindu nationalists to affect how Indian society is depicted on the screen. Nilesh Krishnaa, the movie's writer and director, tried to anticipate the possibility of offending some of his fellow Indians. Food, Brahminical customs and especially Hindu-Muslim relations are all part of a third rail that has grown more powerfully electrified during Mr. Modi's decade in power. But, Mr. Krishnaa told an Indian newspaper in November, "if there was something disturbing communal harmony in the film, the censor board would not have allowed it."
With "Annapoorani," Netflix appears to have in effect done the censoring itself even when the censor board did not. In other cases, Netflix now seems to be working with the board unofficially, though streaming services in India do not fall under the regulations that govern traditional Indian cinema. For years, Netflix ran unredacted versions of Indian films that had sensitive parts removed for their theatrical releases -- including political messages that contradicted the government's line. Since last year, though, the streaming versions of movies from India match the versions that were censored locally, no matter where in the world they are viewed. [...] Nikhil Pahwa, a co-founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation, thinks the streaming companies are ready to capitulate: "They're unlikely to push back against any kind of bullying or censorship, even though there is no law in India" to force them.
Not quite (Score:5, Insightful)
Removal of Netflix Film Shows Advancing Power of India's Hindu Right Wing
What it shows is once again religion is trying to dictate to everyone else what people can see. This is no different than what Russia or Iran do, or the Taliban for that matter. And if we're not careful, the same thing will happen in the U.S.
Re:Not quite (Score:5, Insightful)
And if we're not careful, the same thing will happen in the U.S.
Um... will happen? Buddy, it's already happening. not on a national level (yet), but it's definitely happening.
The speaker of the House (Score:5, Insightful)
We were literally warned about this by Barry Goldwater when he lost. He was terrified of the modern Christian extremists taking over the Republican party then and everything he warned us about came to pass.
Nowadays when somebody says vote blue no matter who it's because the alternative is a theocratic fascist hellscape. Even if you think you're a Christian I guarantee you you're not the right kind of Christian. There's no such thing as the right kind of Christian because the only way to rule in a country like that is by keeping the population in a constant state of fear
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https://thedevilspanties.com/a... [thedevilspanties.com]
The Paradox of Tolerance
https://thedevilspanties.com/a... [thedevilspanties.com]
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Ironic given that the people who made that comic are the ones who hospitalize female professors just for having the audacity to listen to someone they disagree with, and who consider using violence up to and including targeted political killings to be a completely legitimate first-response to people tweeting things they don't like.
It's almost as if Popper's Paradox wasn't about people saying things you disagree with but about people literally trying to attack the entire institution of freedom itself, regard
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Don't expect any specifics.
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It's a husband and wife team who sell collectibles and graphic stories [booknotification.com] with the wife publishing indie online comic strips since she was in college. This is Shadow of Eternity declaring this red Indian, I mean, Popper's Paradox illustrator is just as evil as the last Popper's Paradox illustrator.
Re:The speaker of the House (Score:5, Insightful)
Lest any Christian think they'll be safe enough in the new theocracy, I point out a great joke by Emo Phillips [theguardian.com].
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Re: The speaker of the House (Score:2)
That would be convicted felon and Republican (but I repeat myself) Dinesh D'Souza?
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Christians in the US are the persecutors, not the persecuted.
Criticizing them for not staying in their lane is not persecution.
You claim you are agnostic, but you come across as an apologist for Christian Nationalists.
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"vote blue no matter who it's because the alternative is a theocratic fascist hellscape"
(Score:5, Insightful)
That's enough Slashdot for today.
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Nowadays when somebody says vote blue no matter who it's because the alternative is a theocratic fascist hellscape.
And here you are so afraid of Christian Nationalism that you will accept whatever the other party offers.
You absolutely should be concerned over Christian Nationalism; however, there are worse things about and you are walking straight into them without even looking. All it takes is a few kind words from the other party and you hop straight into their lap... almost like the whole situation was planned to happen that way...
Manufactured consent indeed. With wide open arms and eager minds we leap blindly.
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it's definitely happening.
Just for information (I(m not from US, I might have missed your implicit reference), could you give a pointer? Cases where a dominant religion-motivated group successfully used the judicial or backstage lobbied State executive level to censor a movie contradicting good morals.
Talibanjelicals (Score:5, Insightful)
They aren't banning movies (yet) but they are banning library books, abortions, and LGBTQ+ medical treatments. They claim it's to "protect the children", but they didn't give a shit about children when it came to pollution, food, healthcare, education access, child labor, underage marriage, and others. Crocodile tears. "Moms for Liberty" want to take your liberty.
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> In almost all cases, these bans are for minors, and if you think about it, it actually makes sense.
No it doesn't. Let the family decide after sufficient consultations with experts. The "failure rate" is low. Even those that later regret often DON'T regret having the choice itself as a youth. Transitioning later in life makes life HARDER for transgenders. Republicans poke fun of Rachel Levine's looks, but want to prevent solutions. Damned hypocrites! It's religious zealotry, not "caring math".
Some red s
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I'm not from the US either, but I read news and keep myself connected to the state of the world, both in the US and elsewhere.
There are various extremist groups popping up everywhere, some nationwide, each having their own ridiculous agenda, and wherever they gain majority (through noise, if not through numbers too), stupid things are happening, such as book banning, random example is "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (oh noez! it's racist!). Look up cancel culture too, while we're at it.
TV series are modifi
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Except no one gives a shit what Russia and Iran thinks. Sure it may be banned, etc. in their state, but around the world people can still view it. In this case however, India banned a film from being seen around the world. Huge difference. Why are Western countries giving India so much power?
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Hardly. Netflix are producing local content for local audiences. I think you overestimate the potential audience for 'arthouse' international audiences beyond the expatriate community. This hardly seems like an Oscar contender - rising from a impoverished background to win a competition sounds like a straight rags-to-riches rip off of Slumdog Millionaire. I'll pass.
Not defending the practice but abiding with local norms and customs is par for the course
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Hardly. Netflix are producing local content for local audiences. I think you overestimate the potential audience for 'arthouse' international audiences beyond the expatriate community.
I don't use Netflix myself, but I hear Squid Game did pretty well outside of Korea. "Nordic noir" is also very popular outside of Scandinavia. Finally, let's not forget the massive Indian expatriate community, some of whom undoubtedly left India precisely because of Hindu nationalism
Re:Not quite (Score:4, Informative)
The movie was soon removed from Netflix both in India and around the world
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Re: Not quite (Score:2)
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Does it really matter what general audience the film was targeting? A worldwide ban is still a worldwide ban. I don't really understand though why India is being given so much weight. When India decided to assassinate a Canadian on Canadian soil, India kicked out dozens of Canadian diplomats, but Canada decided to try keeping the matter quiet, and quiet up about it mere days after the news was released. Canada basically whimpered about it. Yet S. Arabia diplomatically was placed in a shithole after it
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Do you want India to be on Russia's side China's side or the correct side?
That's why we put up with India's shit.
It's also a huge upcoming market, there's money to be made.
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"It's a huge upcoming market, there's money to be made"
AND the central government is absolutely willing to screw with any company which interferes with their attempts to subjugate/disenfranchise/remove the 14+% of the population which is Muslim.
14% of the population is more than twice the percentage of redheads in the US. It's a little less than the percentage of redheads plus food service workers put together. (It's 6 times the percentage of Jews in the US. 2 times the LGTetc percentage in the US.) Ima
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Sadly, change redheads to certain skin colours, political believes or religion and I could imagine it.
Seems to be a portion of people everywhere who will happily embrace fascism, as long as it is named differently, along with others who are willing to try a change.
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I'm not really interested in watching it, but since I am not a citizen or resident of India, I strenuously object to their rulings affecting me in my home. What next, no more alcohol because the Saudis object?
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There's a lot less money to be made in Saudi Arabia for Netflix -- India's 39 times bigger. You're missing out on things the Saudis don't like in ways you don't notice, because companies fold to them just as quickly in the places where they economic leverage, but it's not in situations where head count is the important thing.
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On the other hand, a bunch of hotheads in and around the middle east have affected television programming seen in the U.S. I object to that as well (to be fair, so do many moderates in and around the middle east).
All I'm saying, metaphorically to India is "Hey, you do you but leave me out of it".
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What do you mean "will" happen? It happens. And from both sides of the political spectrum. The left wants to squelch people because they might hurt the fee-fees of people... without even bothering to ask these people if they actually give a fuck about it or whether they'd rather have them care about real problems, and the right because it might hurt the fee-fees of their imaginary buddy, who they of course cannot really ask any more than the average 8 year old can ask his invisible friend if he likes brocco
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Don't equate these two. They're not the fucking same. Funny how all these idiots who think it is the same invariably vote right, almost like they're just looking for any ill informed excuse to justify their bullshit.
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Both sides try to use the law and use their chosen justification. Fortunately the law, or rather, the first amendment, is a bit more resilient than their efforts. But while they can't get book BBQs [wikipedia.org] going, what we do see is schools getting banned from carrying books and people getting prosecuted for "offending" the wrong person or people.
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A lot of nudity has disappeared from the American-controlled internet, making it simillar to Asia and the Middle-East. For the moment, the profitability of pornography trumps Christian fanaticism and "think of the children" censorship although the US states and the UK are passing Real-Id. laws over its consumption.
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In the US we have mainstream media all parroting the same message [youtu.be].
On reddit we tend to have an echo chamber of group think by redditards downvoting those with an opposing opinion because god forbid someone has a different opinion or even daring to ask an honest question. Apparently they never got the memo:
"Opinions are assholes. Everyone has one and sometimes they stink."
Eventually people will realize: Only children censor. Adults discuss topics with respect and even laugh about it.
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Removal of Netflix Film Shows Advancing Power of India's Hindu Right Wing
What it shows is once again religion is trying to dictate to everyone else what people can see. This is no different than what Russia or Iran do, or the Taliban for that matter. And if we're not careful, the same thing will happen in the U.S.
This has nothing to do with religion, or at least not with what we consider to be religion in the US. In the US, religion is a matter of conscience and belief and people can and do often change religions, including becoming religious or non-religious. However, in much of the world, and especially in India, religion is a cultural concept. One is born into a religion, and choice is not relevant. So, this has everything to do with culture/ethnicity and nothing to do with the US-concept of religion.
In the U
Re: Not quite (Score:2)
Icon (Score:2, Insightful)
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They can do what they want and we can bitch and boycott.
Typical of simple people who feel threatened (Score:5, Insightful)
If you have to police what other people say about your culture / gods... then your culture / gods are weak and not worth my time to care about.
Be offended, that's fine. Go on a talk show and talk about how you're offended. If you're an educator in the arts or politics or something relevant, talk about why the depiction you don't like is a bad representation of your culture / gods. Also fine.
Tell me I can't create or view what offends you (excepting those things that involve committing crimes against real people and causing them harm to produce) and you can find a deep dark hole and fuck right off into it.
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These people are absolutely worth your time in the sense that you need to be aware of them and taking steps to protect yourself your family from them. And you can't do it alone either. An assault rifle and a bit of ammunition isn't going to protect you from them when you are facing organized fanatics. Going to need your own secular science-base
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That's all well and good but these are incredibly violent people who believe God is on their side and will cheerfully kill you in the most brutal ways imaginable.
Slowly and painfully, via poverty, starvation, lack of housing and health care?
The threat is real.
Yeah (Score:2)
People think death camps are where they send you to kill you. They're not.
They're where they send you to work you until you die of starvation or disease (or experimentation...).
And there's pretty much a 50/50 shot you'll end up in one. There was a time when the Irish & Italians were not the "good" kind of white, and it's easy enough to remove them from the ingroup. Anyone can be added to the in group and anyone can be removed. Nobody's safe when a pogr
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Re:Typical of liberals who feel threatened (Score:3)
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So, that makes all the religious torture and murder OK?
ISTM that religious apologists have a very perverted sense of ethics.
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Personality cults aren't atheistic. They just hate competition.
Go to North Korea and call them 'atheists.' They'll send you home in a box.
Re: Typical of simple people who feel threatened (Score:2)
Religions must be really impotent (Score:5, Insightful)
I mean, if you can hurt religions by talking about stuff in movies... boy, those gods are pansies. I expect better from something that wants worship.
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My gods aren't pansies [google.com]
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Maybe they are pansies, but they'll zap you regardless for not following their silly wishes because they can. Why can't there be petulant deities? Piss off the great neckbeard in the sky, and he'll issue a command line to delete you from the Matrix.
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Apparently calling it a pansy isn't offensive enough. I'm still here, after all.
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> calling it a pansy isn't offensive enough. I'm still here, after all.
Yes, but it made you ugly, and gave you small dick and a nasty personality.
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I had all that long, long before I became an antisocial bastard, so it's more that I adjusted the crime to the punishment rather than the other way around.
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The Matrix fairies forked the timeline and rewound one to pre-punish you.
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That's the thing, though, that's not me, that's some copy of me that I'll never meet.
That's the thing about karma and why it's essentially unfair to the extreme. Imagine I'm an antisocial bastard and cause unspeakable harm to everyone around me. Karma would now dictate that I get reborn and have the shittiest life possible.
The thing is, though, I'll not retain any of the memories I have now into this next life. So essentially, what karma is saying is that my antisocial actions will cause a person I don't ex
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Where's the fairness in that?
It's all a fairytale. And there's the fairness you were looking for.
Jokes apart. The thing is... religion still holds sway over the lives of most people on the planet. Most don't understand reason.
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Of course it's a make-believe feelgood story. But how is that supposed to make you feel good? It's not even the pretense of fairness, it's unfair all the way down.
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> Where's the fairness in that?
The Universe iza bitch, ain't it.
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Two can play that game, ever had the race card played on you when you told an asshole off?
Same story, different religion (Score:5, Insightful)
All over the world, fundamentalists of every religion are using violence, perversion of laws and culture wars nonsense to advance their poisonous, evil agenda. It doesn't matter whether it's Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or some other flavour of primitive superstition, the agenda is the same: silence opposition, spread ignorance and establish a vicious, totalitarian theocracy
Beat your thoughts to the mould of your will. (Score:2)
All over the world [universe] the agenda is the same: silence opposition, spread ignorance and establish a vicious, totalitarian theocracy
"While the enemies of the Emperor still draw breath, there can be no peace." - Captain Gabriel Angelos, Blood Ravens
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India is a big market that Netflix wants to expand into.
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You're cherry picking from the beat-up rust belt. Homicide rate is higher in red states on average. Repent!
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Homicide rates are higher in red states..lyou know, the ones in the Bible Belt. Grow up and get a brain, fuckwit.
They should have committed arson in the US (Score:1)
Then instead of being evil scary doubleplusungood "right wing nationalists" they would be innocent oppressed brown folx endangered by the violent racism of a white supremacist corporation.
Bunch of Crypto Buddhists (Score:2)
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Just to add to your points...
I think there is a level of religion which is all built around a structure of forcing people to blindly follow rules. The more people you can get to blindly follow the rules, the larger the group, the larger the identity, the more power the religion has. So ultimately their aim is to force as many people as possible to follow their rules. Blindly follow the same set of rules, therefore making their religion look more powerful.
Of course, that's only one level of thinking or relig
America outsourced zealots to India (Score:1)
...good luck with them.
Torrents! (Score:2)
Torrents here! Get yer torrents here!
https://1337x.to/torrent/59404... [1337x.to]
Magnet link [magnet]
Magnet text (trackers reduced to avoid wall of text):
magnet:?xt=urn:btih:E703F03814C24AD6EBC6C1ECBEE6C2B4563E2142&dn=Annapoorani.2023.1080p.NF.WEB-DL.HINDI.TAMIL.AAC5.1.AV1-GOPIHD&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.torrent.eu.org%3A451%2Fannounce&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.openbittorrent.com%3A6969%2Fannounce&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.opentrackr.org%3A1337&tr=http%3A%2F%2Fbt1.archive.org%3A6969%2Fannounce&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftr
Take it easy. (Score:3)
First step to not being bitched is to not be a drama queen.
Appeasement (Score:2)
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How is this "right wing?" (Score:2)
I see nothing "right wing" about this. Seems to me that Marxist NYT is trying to smear conservatism again.
invade (Score:2)
Almost all evil (Score:1)
Go figure (Score:1)
How Indian society is depicted on the screen (Score:2)