Chinmaya Mission Issues Defamation Notice To Makers Of Marathi Web Series 'Aani Kay Hava'

The Central Chinmaya Mission Trust has issued a legal notice through its Advocate, Prakash Salsingikar to the makers of the Marathi web series 'Aani Kay Hava' (Aur Kya Chahiye) which is streaming on MX Player.

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust is the apex administrative body of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, that administers the over 300 centres of the Mission around the world.

The notice alleges that the makers have "intentionally made fun of Swami Chinmayananda" in the web series.

The notice quotes a conversation between two characters in the series where one character asks another why her dog has been named "Chinu". The character replies that the dog has been named after Swami Chinmayananda and that both the dog and Swami Chinmayananda share their birthday.

In the notice issued under the instruction of Dr. Manish Khemlani, the CEO of the Trust, it is stated that "Giving a dog the name Chinu and further explaining that it is derived from the name of Swami Chinmayananda and deliberately making fun on this is the lowest thing anyone can do for publicity or gaining TRP. My client can never imagine how someone can stoop to this level in the media industry."

The notice states that the scene defames Swami Chinmayananda and has hurt the sentiments of devotees of Swami. The notice alleges that the addressees "deliberately tried to malign image of Swami Chinmayananda who is considered to be the guiding light of Chinmaya Mission".

The notice that has been addressed to the Director cum Writer Varun Narvekar, Assistant Director Vikram Patwardhan, Producers Anish Joag and Ranjit Gugale, Mirchi Creations, Entertainment Network Pvt. Ltd. and Huge Productions LLP demands removal of the scene and an unconditional written apology in public, within three days of receipt of the notice.