Hindus are protesting against a Sydney (Australia) radio station where a popular radio host reportedly termed river Ganga as “junkyard” and India a “shit hole”. In one recent “Kyle and Jackie O Show” at “2dayFM 104.1″, which claims to be “Sydney’s Hit Music Station”, host Kyle Sandilands reportedly made these derogatory remarks, ridiculing Ganga and India.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Ganga was sacred to one billion Hindus worldwide and such remarks were very hurtful to the devotees. Besides apparently denigrating the religion, it was belittling the entire community.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged “2dayFM 104.1″ and its owner “Southern Cross Austereo” to be more sensitive when handling faith related topics, as radio was a forceful medium. He asked “Southern Cross Austereo” CEO Rhys Holleran, “2dayFM 104.1″ management and Kyle Sandilands to immediately issue an apology.
Rajan Zed also urged Australian Communications and Media Authority; Australian Government’s statutory authority responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, internet, radiocommunications, and telecommunications; and its Chairman Chris Chapman to launch enquiry into this episode and take appropriate action.
It is believed that bath in the sacred Ganga purifies one of all sin, and its water if taken daily confers immortality. It finds mention in Rig-Veda; the oldest scripture of the world still in common use. Kumbh Mela has been seeing an influx of about 70-100 million people from world over coming to take a dip in Ganga.
Kyle Dalton Sandilands, 40, is an Australian radio and TV personality. This show at 6-9 am weekdays, hosted by him with Jacqueline Henderson, reportedly airs on selected Today Network stations across Australia and also on Take40 Australia. “Southern Cross Austereo” claims to be the creator of more hours of live content than any other broadcast media in Australia and “First in Entertainment Media Solutions”.
Recently, a model displayed an image of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at a fashion event held in Sydney, which caused worldwide protests. Swimwear company immediately apologized, halting all its related production, and promising that the protested swimwear would never be available for sale.