Hindu Protests Get In The Way Of Xena

[Guest guest]

HOLLYWOOD- A Xena: Warrior Princess episode that dealt with Hindu deities will not be seen worldwide.

 

After weeks of protest from Hindu groups, the producers have agreed to pull the episode, titled "The Way", from circulation.

 

"The Way", which aired in North America last month, involved the Hindu deities Lord Krishna and Hanuman aiding Xena in her escape from a demon king.

 

"The episode treats Lord Krishna and Hanuman as fictional characters by putting words in their mouths that they never spoke and having them engage in activities that they never engaged in." according to a joint release of the California-based World Vaishnava Association and the American Hindus Agaist Defamation organization.

 

"Not only does this make the viewing audience think that Lord Krishna, other Hindu deities and the Vedic literature are fictional, it makes Hindus themselves look superstitious and foolish. After all, nobody but a superstitious fool would worship a fictional god."

 

Renaissance Pictures, headed by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, has apologized for causing offence.

 

Renaissance said it would not distribute "The Way" to foreign markets, but left open the possibility of supplying a modified version.