The apex body of ascetics- Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) is upset over the screening of Bigg Boss television show which started in 2006 and is now being shown in six languages and is also going online. The ascetics have demanded probe into its licence to be screened. Such programmes which are against the Indian culture cannot be tolerated, stated members of the religious fraternity.

Though only celebrities were selected to be the housemates in the initial seasons of Bigg Boss, now members of the general public and even so called ascetics like Shivani Durga and Om Swami have been auditioned for the show. The contestants live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world for three months and they are required to indulge in housework and tasks assigned by producers. During their stay in the house, contestants are continuously monitored by live television cameras.

The national secretary of ABAP Mahant Hari Giri said, “I wish to ask the agency of the Government of India which gives licence to screen any show on TV that they should not allow such programmes on air which may affect the peaceful atmosphere. The participants making objectionable statements which provides entertainment to viewers is actually damaging our ethos.”

He further said that for little entertainment and financial gains, the serial is actually causing damage to the society. “Without permission no one can make serial so we wish to enquire who is the officer and decision maker in the Government body, what are his activities and why the motive seems to be to spread disturbance in the country.”

Speaking to The Pioneer, president of ABAP, Narendra Giri said, “In the Indian tradition of rishis and munis, the ascetics are revered a lot. But what is being shown is a direct attack on religious fraternity. This is wrong on the part of the host Salman Khan too. We oppose the screening of Bigg Boss.

He must show what is good for the society. But what is being shown is anti-Sanatan tradition so it should be discontinued with immediate effect. Anything which denigrates the Indian Sanatan tradition cannot be tolerated,” said Giri.

The ascetic said that the religious fraternity demands from those who are running the show to show Muslim Maulvis as well and not only make fun of Indian traditions and ascetics by making them perform objectionable tasks.