The Sony Corporation has agreed to look into the issue of objections of the Hindus against their newly released controversial "Hanuman: Boy Warrior" video game for PlayStation2.

It may be noted that the Hindu leader, Rajan Zed, had earlier urged the company to withdraw this video game, saying it ‘trivialises' the highly revered deity of Hinduism.

Replying to the communiqué of Bhavna Shinde of the Forum for Hindu Awakening, Keita Sanekata of Sony Electronics Inc wrote, "We will review this issue and get back to you as soon as possible."

Advancing the protest spearheaded by acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, Shinde earlier wrote to Sanekata to "look into withdrawing this game and publishing an apology, so as to prevent further denigration of our Deity Sree Hanuman and intensifying of our protests."

Shinde wrote, "Using a sacred figure from Hinduism, namely, the Hindus' revered Deity, Sree Hanuman, as a character in a video game is highly objectionable to us Hindus worldwide... As an ethical corporation, Sony is expected to treat with respect the objects and concepts held sacred by the one-billion-strong Hindu community.

Meanwhile, many other Hindu leaders/groups from all over the world have joined the protest.  Some of them are: Vamsi Krishna of Sanatan Sanstha based in Australia; Hindu Janajagruti Samiti headquartered in India; Jawahar L. Khurana, Chairperson of Hindu Alliance of India; Lila D. Sharma, President of India Heritage Panel; Dharam Loonaa, Executive Director of Universal Society of Hinduism; and Rakesh Nagpal, General Secretary of Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha; urging Sony for urgent withdrawal of  "Hanuman: Boy Warrior" video game.

Needless to say, Lord Hanuman is greatly revered by the Hindus throughout the world and his worship is very popular among the Hindus and there are numerous temples dedicated to Him. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents. Sony, with Howard Stringer as Chairman, is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Merinews