Reactions As CNN Presenter Eats Human Brain, Drinks from Human Skull

TAYO OLANIPEKUN

Criticism has continued to trail the recent action of CNN television presenter, RezaAslan, for eating a human brain and taking an alcoholic drink from a humanskull while filming with an Hindu sect, the Aghori.

He was also pelted with faeces by the guru who ate his own excreta and threatenedto cut off Aslan’s head should the journalist continue talking too much, as theguru yelled, “Should we eat the living?”

Aslan,an Iranian religious studies scholar, is the host of the program, Believers with Reza Aslan and was in India to meet with the members of the sect believed to number not more than 100.

The footage has, however, prompted reactions from mainstream Hindu worshipers whoaccused Aslan and CNN of using the power of their outfit to highlightmisunderstanding and fear of Hinduism.

Among such voices is that of the Lord Master, Wahinous Indian Healing Temple inLagos. He said CNN could go ahead and use the media to say whatever they likeabout Hinduism and that the religion is not about how many bodies involved.“Hinduism is a religion of wisdom and whatever the media highlights can’t changethe religion,” he said.

Also,U.S Member of Congress for Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard, has said through her Twitterhandle that, “Aslan apparently sought to find sensationalist and absurd ways toportray Hinduism,” adding that, “I am very disturbed that CNN is using itspower and influence to increase people’s misunderstanding and fear ofHinduism.”

But Aslan rejected the suggestion he deliberately cast Hinduism in bad light andthat his program could contribute to a climate of anti-Hindu feelings.

Hewrote on his Facebook: “As I repeatedly state on camera and in voice-over, theAghori are not representative of Hinduism but are instead an extreme Hindu sectwho reject the fundamental Hindu distinction between purity and pollution.

“Inalmost every interview I did about the show, I talked at length about the issueunderlying the episode, including the fluidity of the caste system, theproblems inherent amongst the untouchable class, and how devout Hindus of allstripes are working tirelessly to overcome both.”

Aslan,sensing he had fallen out with the Aghori during the recording, later calledhis crew to ask for a way of distracting the guru so they could flee the scene.