1st August 2023, Mumbai: Satyameva Jayate, a global human rights organization dedicated to upholding and advancing the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, has strongly condemned the recent depiction of Mahatma Gandhi in a music video by American rapper Big Baby Gandhi and Kanye West AI. The organization is urgently appealing to YouTube for the immediate removal of the “War With The Matrix” music video and is advocating for sanctions against the artists responsible for the hateful anti-Hindu content.
In the “War With The Matrix” video, Kanye West is portrayed with Mahatma Gandhi engaged in acts such as smoking marijuana, attempting suicide in various forms, carrying rifles, posing with ISIS militants, destroying cultural heritage by burning down the Taj Mahal, and participating in Nazi-inspired book burning. In a video entitled “1515”, the creator of “War With The Matrix” makes statements such as “ISIS is my crew” and “my government name is Osama bin Laden,” seeming to openly endorse terrorist ideologies.
Satyameva Jayate has taken issue with these troubling portrayals, stating that they are not only factually incorrect and disrespectful, but dangerous. Founder Dr. Satyanarayana Iyer said: “These statements and violent imagery are tarnishing the legacy of non-violence Gandhi stood for. In an era where misinformation can spread like wildfire, adhering to the truth is a potent tool for maintaining social cohesion and trust. The practice of satyagraha, insistence upon truth, urges us to champion transparency and honesty in our daily interactions and larger societal discourses.”
The organization has invoked the recent outrage sparked by the Hollywood film ‘Oppenheimer’ which includes a depiction of a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu scripture, being recited during a sex scene. Quoting Uday Mahurkar, founder of Save Culture Save India (SCSI), Dr. Iyer has stated: “This is a direct assault on the peaceful existence of a billion tolerant Hindus. It amounts to waging a war on the Hindu community and almost appears to be part of a larger conspiracy by anti-Hindu forces.”
The organization has therefore issued an appeal to YouTube and other platforms that host the “War With The Matrix” video to remove the video immediately. While advocating for freedom of expression, Satyameva Jayate stated that this should not extend to content that promotes violence, endorses terrorism, or tramples upon the legacy of the icon of global peace, Mahatma Gandhi.
The organization has also issued a statement that: “All who value peace, non-violence, and mutual respect must join us in demanding the removal of this abomination from all media platforms. Collective action can help preserve the true legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and continue to promote the values he dedicated his life to uphold.”
Satyameva Jayate, meaning “Truth Alone Triumphs,” is an organization “committed to fostering a world inspired by Gandhi Ji’s principles of truth, peace, and compassion.”