On June 2, 2003, The Tampa Tribune published a
story about India's Aghori "cannibalism". This story was presented in such a
way that innocent reader would believe that the missing western tourists in
India are possibly victims of the "Indian Cannibalism" which, according to
this report, is a part of Indian culture. Thus, the westerns tourists in
India may be kidnapped, sacrificed and eaten by Aghoris. In our view, this
report was projecting Indian culture as belonging to the stone-age cannibals.
(especially for those American readers that do not know much about India or
Indians). For more details read:
Western Tourists and Indian
Culture of "Cannibalism"?IndiaCause
strongly objected to this story with TBO/Tampa Tribune Management. Tampa
Tribune refused to give any explanation for this blunder. InaidCause appealed
to the members to write to the Management. After our appeal, Tampa Tribune
received tons of emails. Your
emails made a BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Kathleen Williams, Senior Editor at Tampa tribune
personally replied to all emails they received. Also they
published a full page explanation about this story on their website. This is
one more successful show of ‘Power of Unity on the Web’ achieved by
IndiaCause.
Initial appeal was listed on IndiaCause.com website on
June 3, 2003 (and sent to members on June 6)
Western Tourists and Indian
Culture of "Cannibalism"?
Explanation by Tampa Tribune on June 9, 2003:
Tribune
Editors Explain Use Of Cannibal Story
On June 2, The Tampa Tribune published a story ``Voyage Into Madness''
that examined a Winter Haven man's pursuit of an American who was involved in
an obscure sect in India that practiced cannibalism.
The story sparked anger from readers, mainly Indian-Americans and Hindus
in the Tampa Bay area, who felt the article unfairly tarnished Hinduism.
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Hindus Known For Nonviolence
The Tribune received a number of e-mails from concerned readers who took
offense at the article, saying it defamed the Hindu religion, and they
questioned its timing and play.
They felt the story could contribute to prejudice against Indians and
Hindus. They objected to part of the article in which Yon wondered if
tourists who had allegedly disappeared in parts of India had become victims
of sacrifice.
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Context Needed
The story did not attempt to identify how many Aghoris there were, and how
that compared with the total Hindu population of India, Williams said. That
context should have been prominently reported.
In subsequent checking, the Tribune found that no official figures exist,
Williams said. According to the Religion and Ethics Department of St.
Martin's College in Lancaster, England, in the 19th century, there were
between 200 and 300 Aghoris, ``a number that has likely declined.''
The Tribune is very aware of cultural and religious sensitivities,
Williams added.
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The Tribune meant no disrespect of the Hindu religion or of the Tampa Bay
Indian community.
In an e-mail response to reader Kiran Patel, Tribune Deputy Managing
Editor Lawrence Fletcher wrote the newspaper's intent was not to insult
anyone nor cast mainstream Hinduism in an unflattering light.
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