"Hanuman - Boy Warrior" Video Game Strongly Criticized by Hindu Leaders

Sony, founded in 1946, launched a new video game “Hanuman – Warrior Boy” on 26th of March 2009. It is developed by an Indian developer. Powerful Hanuman, the son of wind, is a very popular Hindu deity and is presented as the hero of the video game. This is the first Indian mythological video game of PS2 available in Hindi and English. Atindriya Bose, the Country Manager of Play Station Sony Computer Entertainment said “The launch of "Hanuman - Boy warrior" has marked a very significant milestone in the Indian gaming industry and also signifies the importance we attach to the Indian market”

“Hanuman – Warrior Boy” video game has received mixed reactions from Hindus. An acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in an interview to Nevada Today (USA), said that “in the video game set-up, the player would control the destiny of Lord Hanuman while in reality the believers put the destinies of themselves in the hands of their deities.” Few more Hindus have supported Mr. Zed’s statement and said it hurts Hindu’s religious beliefs. Hindu leaders strongly criticized Sony Entertainment’s insensitivity, alleging the company to carelessly use Hanuman’s image for economic purposes, inspired solely by profit motive. These Hindu leaders have asked Sony to withdraw this video game as they cannot accept Hanuman being a character governed by a computer joystick.

With all due respect to the Hindu leaders’ reactions, I have a different opinion. Religious institutions also need funds to carry out their events successfully. The progress of a country depends upon its economics. The big picture of “Hanuman – Warrior Boy” is to bring Lord Hanuman closer to kids through computers. This can help kids deeply associate with their religious values. Time is changing and so are the mind set of people. We have online access to all the vedic rituals, pooja ceremonies and fasting books. Instead of calling priests for performing ceremonies, some people now prefer performing it online. I am just trying to show how some people have changed their religious mindset and prefer performing ceremonies online which is more convenient. We can call it convenience or changing times but these changes have helped people to stay close to their religious root. Instead of totally discarding their religious values, they are somehow trying to maintain it. Author of "Breaking Barriers", Dr. Ranu Sinha said “I personally prefer calling priests to perform religious ceremonies. But looking at the changing times it’s important to understand how the coming generations will accept religion. If religion is stringent and hard to follow, then gradually it will lose its importance.” Author of “The World of Online Banking and Payments” said “We have so many toys depicting Gods and Goddesses. I would like to name few - Kisna toy, Hanuman toy and Makhan Chor Kanahiya toy which kids like playing with. If we have no objections to kids playing with Hindu deities’ toys, then why do we have any issue with a computer game built around Hanuman. According to me God is love and not a symbol of fear or control.”