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VARANASI, INDIA, April 9, 2005: A new Hindi feature film called “Dharma” has traditional Hindu priests who perform religious ceremonies on the banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi “up in arms.” The priest are insulted and outraged by two particular scenes in the movie. The news release said, “What has particularly angered the Pandas is a scene in which actor Pankaj Kapur, cast in the role of a Panda strongman, is shown misbehaving with lead actress Hrishita Bhatt. In another sequence, a group of Pandas have been shown as beating up a foreign tourist on the riverbank.” Sabha President Pandit Rajiv Nandan Mishra said, “Such scenes should be deleted from the picture as it casts aspersion on the image of the Pandas who are held in high esteem by pilgrims and common people. The Pandas have been performing Hindu rituals since ages and have always strived to maintain cordial relationship with the pilgrims and visitors from the country and abroad. However, the film has aimed at marring the image of the Pandas by depicting them in poor light.” Kashi Tirth Purohit Sabha, General Secretary Chandrashekhar Shastri added, “The film is an ‘attack on the Pandas’ reputation as flag bearers of ancient Hindu traditions and we demand withdrawal of these scenes.”

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