Bollywood Accused of Favoring Other Faiths Over Sanatan Dharma

A coalition of Hindu monks across Uttar Pradesh has accused Bollywood of a double standard in its storytelling. According to Mahant Sitaram Das, movies frequently showcase the beauty of other religions, yet the ancient Sanatan Dharma is often reduced to caricature.

He argued that such portrayals undermine the confidence of devotees, making them hesitant to display religious symbols like the tilak or to celebrate festivals openly. The monk warned that this cultural erosion could have long‑term social repercussions.

Mahant Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das pointed out that scenes depicting the draping of a chadar over a mosque are treated as reverent, while the same reverence is denied to Hindu conventions. He called for stricter monitoring of film scripts to prevent the spread of anti‑Hindu sentiment.

The ensemble of religious leaders stressed that cinema, as a powerful medium, should reflect the country's pluralistic ethos rather than fuel division.