The New York Times calls Yogi Adityanath head of militant Hindu temple

Shubhanshu Sharma
Published on: 14 July 2017 12:40 AM GMT
The New York Times calls Yogi Adityanath head of militant Hindu temple
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The New York Times calls Yogi Adityanath head of militant Hindu temple

Lucknow: International media giant The New York Times on Thursday sparked a controversy by describing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the head of a 'militant' Hindu temple.

The article was written by New York Times' South Asia bureau chief Ellen Barry which is based on the rise of Yogi Adityanath. The headline of the article earlier read - "Head of militant Hindu temple ascends India's political ladder", but after drawing sharp reactions over social platform, the author changed the headline to "Firebrand Hindu Cleric Ascends India’s Political Ladder".

The first sentence of the controversial article states - "A Hindu warrior-priest has been chosen to rule India’s most populous state".

"As leader of a temple known for its militant Hindu supremacist tradition, he built an army of youths intent on avenging historic wrongs by Muslims, whom he has called “a crop of two-legged animals that has to be stopped," the article said.

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The article also claimed that the famous "Gorakhnath Temple had a tradition of militancy: Digvijay Nath, the head priest until 1969, was arrested for exhorting Hindu militants to kill Mahatma Gandhi days before he was shot."

The New York Times, however, has not yet given any official reaction, but after being widely criticised, the author of the article himself clarified the use of the word 'militant' in his replies to the Twitter users.

https://twitter.com/EllenBarryNYT/status/885357236259758080

https://twitter.com/EllenBarryNYT/status/885358006799548416

Several Twitter users also stated that the use of the word 'militant' was not correct in the context of the recent terrorist attack on the Amarnath Yatra.

Replying to it, Ellen Barry tweeted, "Why? This is by the way a very live debate w/in newspapers and I have an open mind about it. In general we avoid "terrorist" but not always."

https://twitter.com/EllenBarryNYT/status/885358979190149120

Shubhanshu Sharma

Shubhanshu Sharma

Writer has 6 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Senior Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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