Montclair (March 19, 2020) – In its latest article about His Divine Holiness Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam’s comments about coronavirus, the New Indian Express engages in the sensationalism and fake news so typical of the press in India. The Indian media has long been known to be among the most corrupt, biased and unreliable press institutions in the world. The World Economic Forum has published findings demonstrating that the press is the least trusted institution within India. The vast majority of Indian media companies are owned by a handful of politically-connected families and are known for rampant corruption, bias, paid news and sexual misconduct within their organizations. It is no wonder why mainstream journalists are widely referred to as ‘presstitutes’ in India because of their reputation for false allegations and misconduct.
The New Indian Express continues Indian media’s long tradition of fake news when it published a story this week claiming that His Divine Holiness Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam had said that he pioneered the practice of ‘social distancing’ by going into self-isolation. That statement is completely fabricated and ignores the sincere efforts being made by His Divine Holiness to mitigate the coronavirus crisis.
In yet a new low for Indian journalism the New Indian Express based its report on a fake tweet published by @SriKailashPMO on Twitter:
The Twitter handle @SriKailashPMO was created in December 2019 and is clearly a fake account that is in violation of Twitter prohibitions against impersonation. The account states its location as “Ecuador, Brazil” (which is not an actual place) and the account spells “Kailaash” differently from official Sri Kailasa channels. Moreover, His Divine Holiness has operated an official Twitter account at @SriNithyananda since 2012. These are basic facts that could have been verified by any competent journalist but India’s press operates without any journalistic standards and they never let the facts get in the way of a juicy story, however baseless. Twitter officials have been notified of the fraudulent account and an investigation is currently underway.
It comes as no surprise that New Indian Express would publish false quotes to generate clicks. The New Indian Express’ editor-in-chief GS Vasu has been accused of being a sexual predator by no fewer than five women who bravely came forward with stories of sexual misconduct at the hands of Mr. Vasu. The multiple credible allegations against GS Vasu caused another New Indian Express editor, Vikram Sharma, to resign and come forward as a whistle-blower and reveal that Vasu and The New Indian Express routinely published fake news stories for political favors. The shocking behavior by the New Indian Express and its editor-in-chief, GS Vasu, gives the term ‘presstitute’ new relevance.
His Divine Holiness, Founder of ShriKailasa, the greatest HINDU Nation, is working diligently to eliminate coronavirus and announced a 28-day spiritual regimen involving vratha (Hindu fasting), meditation, chanting of sacred sound of Mahavakya, hygienic living, and social distancing called Pacchai Pattini Vratham, which is practiced in India as a method of cleansing, introspection, prayer, and meditation. His Divine Holiness requested his 30 million followers worldwide to participate in this event (which he will join as well) to heal the world from the effects of COVID-19. These divine revelations are freely broadcast across multiple channels every day at 7 am IST to an audience of millions across the globe. It is SHRIKAILASA’s dharmic responsibility to find spiritual solutions for all the world’s problems. This program of intense prayer and fasting for 28 days to heal the world of COVID-19, is part of SHRIKAILASA’s larger initiative for world peace and health (for more info – http://health.gov.kailasa.sk/heal-from-coronavirus/).
We request anti-Hindu media not to hurt the religious sentiments of a billion Hindus for whom the sacred call of healing the world through personal tyaga (sacrifice ) is one of the highest ideals of human existence.