India’s Hindu extremists have attacked women, and Muslims, but now they are rioting against the popular silent film star, Charlie Chapman. Hindus in the southern state of Karnataka are fiercely against the construction of a 67 ft tall statue of Mr. Chapman for a film shoot. Extremists are arguing that Charlie was a Christian and made no contribution to India and that putting up a likeness of him would be extremely disrespectful to the religion and the country. These same radicals have attacked women, storming into a bar and accusing them of “debauched behavior” because they were drinking and smoking. On valentines day, they threatened to take any couple that showed themselves in public straight to a church where they would be forced to get married. Many people have said that these extremists are acting like Afghanistan’s hardline rulers, that may be part of the reason that dozens of people have now offered up their private land for the statue. So even though Hindu radicals think Charlie Chapman hasn’t benefited India, obviously some Indians are a fan of his work.

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http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/16/arts/peeptue.php