Ekta faces Vaishnavs’ flak for derogatory

Ekta faces Vaishnavs' flak for derogatory remark in Kyunki...

Junagadh, January 5 Popular TV soap "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi..." has sparked off an agitation in Junagadh by making a derogatory remark against the deity of the Vaishnav sect in one of its episodes.

Hundreds of followers of the sect staged a protest rally in the city today and submitted a memorandum to the District Collector demanding immediate apology from Balaji Telefilms, producer Ekta Kapoor and actress Suvarna Jha playing Tripti Virani. They also sought assurance that such things would not be repeated.

The rally, led by the priests of the sect, began from Haveli (Vaishnav) sects temple located at Kalwa Chowk and marched through the city's main thoroughfare.

A large number of followers from nearby towns and villages also took part.

Prominent businessman and a follower of the sect, Arvind Soni, said, "A derogatory remark made against the deity (Thakorji) in the serial is highly objectionable. It is very shocking. We will not tolerate this. She (Ekta Kapoor) has hurt our sentiments."

He added, "Vaishnav will intensify our agitation against her and initiate legal action, if she does not apologise."

Followers said the Gujarati culture has provided a platform and boost to the Balaji serials, but instead of respecting it, she is trying to hurt Gujarat and its pride.

They alleged that "it seems that she is doing this intentionally to improve the TRP of the serial". Priests and followers of other Hindu sects also supported Vaishnavs over the issue and criticised Ekta Kapoor.

In a statement, the president of All India Sadhu Samaj (Gujarat chapter), Mahant Gopalanand appealed to the people to oppose this by saying that the "remarks made against Thakorji have hurt the sentiments of entire Hindu society."

Mahant added, "Thakorji is the name of Lord Krishna, who is the centre point of the Hindu religion and belief. TV serials—aired on different channels— have been indulged in wrongful display of Hindu culture and society."

Ekta Kapoor apologises
Ekta Kapoor tendered her apology to the Vaishnav community late on Saturday night. "I am extremely apologetic that my show Kyunki ... carried such an uncaring and distasteful statement about Thakorji , even though it was through a negative character. I request the Vaishnav society to forgive us, as it was not intentional. One of the avatars of Krishna is Balaji, which is also the name of our company. We ourselves believe in Vaishnav faith and will do nothing in the future to harm Vaishnavs' sentiments again," said a release by Strategic Media Services, PR firm for Balaji Telefilms.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ekta-faces-Vaishnavs -flak-for-derogatory-remark-in-Kyunki/258156/

omg .
i knew there would be some trouble over these dialogues .. i noticed they were really disrespectful, and i was kinda wondering how they allowed things like that to be said on this show .

Thanks. So Ekta apolozied but whta about Suvarna. I no she is actress & she will go whatever she is told to do. But I really want Suvarna to apolozie from them & also she should apolozied from viewers bcoz they have hurted our feelings. 😡

Goshhh..rally in Junagadh means a lot...i wud have taken it lightly if it was carried out in Ahmedabad but Junagadh is supposed to be a town n ppl there don't care much about things..but alls well that ends well...Now that Ekta has apologised i hope that ppl will not take this issue to court.