Mangalore. Oct 20: Actor-cum-activist Chetan Kumar has courted controversy with his social media posts. In a tweet, he said that “Bhoota Kola” — an animist form of spirit worship from the coastal districts of Tulu Nadu and other places — as shown in the recent film Kantara, is not “Hindu culture”.
The statement led to sharp criticism of the actor on social media.
However, standing by his statement that such worshipping was not Hindu culture, Chetan said that moolnivasis (original descendants) and Dravidians got mixed up with Aryan descendants, who came from central Asia around 3,500 years ago, which then paved the way for Vedic culture.
“Vedic culture has its significance and even our Constitution recognises Hindu as a religion. Everyone has the right to worship, guaranteed under Article 25 — Right to Freedom of Religion. Bhagavad Gita is a part of it,” he asserted.
Kathalsar slammed Chetan Kumar
Reacting to Chetan’s tweet, Dayananda G Kathalsar is said, “I oppose Chetan’s statement. From Brahmanas to Koragas all do daivaradhane and are Hindus. There are Daivasthana’s at Brahmin’s house also.” “It is not right to divide Hindus,” he added.
Netizens slam Chetan for his remarks
Meanwhile, several prominent personalities from the Tulunadu region expressed displeasure with the controversial actor-activist for his remarks.
Former Tulu Sahitya Academy president Dayananda Kattalsar said: “Chetan has the right to express his opinion. But we strongly object to his statement that Pambadas, Nalikes, Parawas and Bahujans are not Hindus.”
“We all follow Hindu traditions right from birth to death. On what basis can one say that we do not belong to the Hindu religion?” he questioned.
Netizens also reacted sharply to Chetan’s remarks. They avowed that Hinduism is not just religion but a lifestyle that encourages worshipping the environment, animals, and nature.
#ACTOR CHETHAN #BHOOTHA KOOLA #RISHAB SHETTY #KANTHARA
