It is important that the temple administration feels the need for a dress code : Mr Ramesh Shinde

Mr. Ramesh Shinde speaking after the unveiling

Educative posters on dress code unveiled by Mr Shinde at the ‘Shri Gramdev Juna Kalbhairav Devasthan Trust’

Chiplun (Maharashtra) – “A dress code regarding the rules and regulations pertaining to the clothes to be worn in a particular premises is applicable in schools, hospitals, Government offices, etc. Similarly, there is an entire science behind the dress code that a devotee must follow to benefit from the divinity in temples. However, the Hindu society has remained oblivious of this information for a long time. It is necessary to convey this Scriptural knowledge to the Hindus. For this reason, many temples in Maharashtra are in favor of putting up educative posters to this effect in temples. It is very important for temple administrations to feel that there should be an ideal dress code for their temples”, asserted Mr Ramesh Shinde (National Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti).

He was speaking after unveiling educative posters on dress code on 27^th August 2023 at ‘Shri Gramdev Juna Kalbhairav Devasthan Trust’ in the city. HBP Abhay Maharaj Sahasrabuddhe (Trustee, Shri Bhargavaram Parashuram Sanstha) was the other Chief Guest.

Mr Shinde added, “So far notices on dress code have been put up at 165 temples in Maharashtra. A meeting of State-level temple trustees, which included trustees of 377 temples including Ashtavinayak, 5 Jyotirlingas, 3 1/2 Shakthipeeths, was held at Jalgaon in February this year to deliberate on various issues concerned with temples and its trustees”.

Amazon continues to host American author EL T Fullah’s book that carries an illustration denigrating Kali Mata It is the duty of Hindus to protest lawfully against Amazon for insulting Kali Mata. If Amazon does not budge, Hindus should boycott Amazon all over the world !

Kali Mata is revered and worshipped as ‘Mata’ (Mother) by Hindus. Amazon has hosted a book written by American author El T Fullah that denigrates Kali Mata, and despite this issue being raised, the platform continues to support Fullah by refusing to take down the book from its website.

The book is a collection of short stories authored by Fullah. The reviews suggest it is a collection of horror stories. ‘Thought-provoking, captivating, and engaging, author EL T Fullah’s Kali Ma : A Collection of Short Stories is a must-read short story collection for horror fans and literary readers alike’, says the Pacific Book Review.

According to Hollywood Book Reviews, the book is ‘A unique and powerful anthology sure to leave a lasting impression on readers’. The review says, ‘Each story is darker and more twisted than the last … The author’s use of horror as a tool for social commentary is both effective and thought-provoking’.

In essence, they are using a Hindu Deity’s image on the cover to sell their horror stories. Depicting Devi Ma hanging on a noose and using Her Name as a title for horror stories are Hinduphobic and completely unacceptable. The audacity of Amazon to continue hosting the book stems from the fact that a large section of Hindus are ignorant or indifferent.

However, the issue was raised on social media in May by Advocate Ashutosh Dubey. In his tweet, he called for boycotting Amazon and also tagged Amazon India to let them know that their shameful act was not acceptable.

Four months have passed and Amazon has not even acknowledged the protest, let alone taking down the book. This kind of arrogance is reserved for ‘tolerant’ Hindus. (Will Amazon dare to host books that depict Abrahamic Gods in a similar derogatory manner ? Hindus need to make it clear that equating Kali Mata with ‘horror’ and depicting Her in a sacrilegious manner is no longer acceptable to them. It is high time that legal and social action be initiated against Amazon for supporting racist authors such as Fullah. Amazon needs to be held accountable for its Hinduphobia. – Editor)