TV Presenter Eats Human Brain Documenting Hindu Religion, Receives Backlash
Reza Aslan, a CNN presenter, received backlash for portraying Hinduism in a bad light after he was filmed eating a human brain on his show "Believer with Reza Aslan".
The 44-year-old Iranian scholar met the Hindu cannibal sect 'Aghoris' at Varanasi. He took part in the rituals, having his face smeared with ashes burnt from dead person.
Aslan was then given an alcohol to drink from a human skull before he was presented human brain to eat.
"Want to know what a dead guy's brain tastes like? Charcoal. It was burnt to a crisp!" Aslan posted on his Facebook.
However, the episode has sparked outrage among Hindu-Americans. And Indian-American politician Tulsi Gabbard expressed concern and vented out her anger through a tweet.
2/ I am very disturbed that CNN is using its power and influence to increase people’s misunderstanding and fear of Hinduism. — Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) March 7, 2017
"Aslan apparently sought to find sensationalist and absurd ways to portray Hinduism. Aslan and CNN didn't just throw a harsh light on a sect of wandering ascetics to create shocking visuals - as if touring a zoo - but repeated false stereotypes about caste, karma and reincarnation that Hindus have been combating tirelessly," another tweet of hers.
