Two posts by Hindustan Times went viral on social media, exposing a glaring contradiction in how the media portrays fasting during Hindu and Muslim festivals. While fasting during Karwa Chauth was framed as harmful to women’s health, fasting during Ramadan was praised for its health benefits. This is not an isolated incident. Over the years, mainstream Indian media outlets have repeatedly vilified Hindu traditions while glorifying Islamic customs, demonstrating a clear pattern of Hinduphobia.
The bias in media coverage: Fasting as a case study
A thorough analysis of articles published between 2016 and 2024 reveals a disturbing trend. Eight different media houses, including Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Times of India, The Hindu, Free Press Journal, and India TV News, have shown blatant bias when discussing fasting rituals of different religions.
The pattern is unmistakable. Hindu fasting is consistently presented as oppressive, regressive, and unhealthy, while Muslim fasting is shown as beneficial, modern, and spiritually uplifting. The same scientific principles of fasting apply to both, yet mainstream media distorts the narrative to demonise Hindu traditions while celebrating Islamic practices.
The Cultural and Religious Significance of Karwa Chauth
Unlike the negative framing in mainstream media, Karwa Chauth is an ancient Hindu festival rooted in devotion and love. The festival, known as Karak Chaturthi in Sanskrit scriptures, falls on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Kartika month.
The story of Karwa Chauth revolves around Veeravati, a devoted wife who fasted for her husband’s long life. When she was tricked into breaking her fast prematurely, her husband faced misfortune. However, after following the fast with dedication for a full year, she successfully brought him back to life. Another story linked to the festival is that of Savitri and Satyavan, where Savitri’s devotion to her husband helped her win him back from Yama, the God of Death.
Rituals of Karwa Chauth
- Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise, abstaining from food and water.
- The fast is broken after sighting the moon through a sieve and receiving blessings from their husbands.
- Women perform pujas dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, Mata Parvati, and Bhagwan Ganesha.
- Water offerings are made to the moon using an earthen pot (karva).
- The Vrat Katha (story of fasting) is recited during the evening rituals.
Regional Variants of Karwa Chauth
While media often portrays Karwa Chauth as an exclusive North Indian ritual, similar fasting traditions exist across Bharat:
- Bengal: Shiv Ratri in honour of Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati.
- Andhra Pradesh: Atla Tadde observed for the long life of husbands.
- Tamil Nadu: Karadaiyan Nonbu, inspired by the tale of Savitri and Satyavan.
- Karnataka: Bheemeshwara Vratam dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati.
These rituals emphasise love, faith, and devotion—values that the mainstream media deliberately distorts.
Hinduphobic media’s hypocrisy exposed
The biased reporting is not accidental. For years, Indian media has targeted Hindu festivals, blaming them for:
- Pollution (Diwali fireworks, Holi colors, Ganesh Chaturthi murtis)
- Patriarchy (Karwa Chauth, Raksha Bandhan)
- Superstition (Chhath Puja, Navratri fasting)
Meanwhile, Islamic and Christian festivals are portrayed in a positive light, focusing on their spiritual, communal, and health benefits. The hypocrisy was evident when The Indian Express published a hit piece on Karwa Chauth, calling it harmful to women’s health, but later praised Ramadan fasting for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation.
Dr. Pooja C. Thukral, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, was quoted in The Indian Express, stating that fasting can cause hormonal fluctuations and stress in women. However, when discussing Ramadan fasting, the same publication highlighted how it boosts metabolism and triggers autophagy (cellular repair process).
Such selective reporting is a clear attempt to demean Hindu traditions while glorifying Islamic practices.
Netizens React: “Stop Demonising Hindu Festivals”
Earlier in 2024, netizens criticised The Indian Express for its selective reporting, accusing the media house of propagating an anti-Hindu agenda. Following the backlash, the original article targeting the Hindu festival was quietly modified to appear more neutral.
Further, outraged by the hypocrisy, social media users slammed The Indian Express and other media houses for their selective outrage. Some reactions included:
“The same media that tells Hindu women to abandon Karwa Chauth for their health praises Ramadan fasting for Muslims. The bias is shameful.” – @HinduVoice
“Indian media’s anti-Hindu propaganda is so obvious now. They mock Karwa Chauth but glorify Ramadan. The agenda is clear.” – @TruthSeeker
“The double standards are mind-blowing! If fasting is bad, why is Ramadan fasting suddenly healthy? Expose the hypocrisy!” – @DharmaDefender
The Karwa Chauth vs. Ramadan debate is just one example of a larger trend. Leftist-dominated mainstream media continues to:
- Label Hindu traditions as oppressive while glorifying non-Hindu practices.
- Promote Western feminist narratives that disrespect Hindu women’s choices.
- Attack Hindu festivals in a Hindu-majority nation while being overly cautious about other religious traditions.
Despite their relentless propaganda, awareness among Hindus is growing. The Hindu community is pushing back against false narratives and selective outrage. As long as media houses continue their anti-Hindu agenda, they will keep facing resistance from the people.
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