'Disrespecting Faith': Amitabh Bachchan Slams Media for Twisting Religious Chant
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan criticizes the media for misinterpreting a devotional chant to Lord Krishna as a challenge to his opponents.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has lashed out at sections of the media for allegedly misinterpreting a devotional invocation to Lord Krishna and portraying it as a provocative challenge to his opponents. The veteran actor expressed his deep displeasure on social media, accusing news outlets of twisting his words to create a narrative of confrontation for the sake of publicity.
The Controversy Over 'Hathi Ghoda Palki'
The conflict began when Big B shared the traditional religious chant, "Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki," which is a prayer dedicated to Lord Krishna. However, certain media reports interpreted the mention of elephants and horses not as a spiritual invocation, but as a cryptic warning to his rivals.
One such report suggested that the actor was telling his opponents to "bring their elephants and horses," implying a readiness to fight. Bachchan was quick to condemn this interpretation, stating that it was not only a distortion of his intent but a grave insult to religious sentiments.
“For Krishna Kanhaiya, in the form of prayer, he often chants - 'Hathi ghoda palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki'. And the media, by disrespecting it, prints it for their own publicity, 'Look, Amitabh is challenging his opponents, saying, 'Bring your elephants and horses'—we will fight with our weapons, we won't be afraid!'”
Criticism of the 'Fourth Pillar' of Democracy
The actor did not hold back in his critique of the press, questioning the responsibility of the media, which is traditionally revered as the fourth pillar of democracy. He described the conduct of certain sections of the media as "absurd" and "ridiculous," arguing that they have lost the honor typically associated with their societal status.
Bachchan pointed out the hypocrisy in accountability, noting that while ordinary individuals are expected to apologize when they make a mistake, the media seems to treat such misinterpretations as a "birthright" without offering any amends.
A Warning to the Press
In a stern warning, the superstar reminded the media of his massive digital footprint. Referring to his 50-million-strong follower base, he suggested that his supporters are highly protective and ready to respond if called upon.
He claimed that even if only 10 percent of his followers were to act, they would have a capacity 100 times greater than the media's attempts to twist his words. He warned that repeated misinterpretations would only strengthen the resolve of his fanbase to speak up.
A Personal Pain
Concluding his emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Bachchan revealed that he had initially wanted to express his feelings as a "victim" of this coverage. However, he ultimately decided against it, stating that his pain is personal and not something worthy of the media's attention.
"The right to my pain is mine alone—it's not worthy of your {media}," the actor wrote, bringing a sharp end to his critique of the industry's reporting standards.