Artwhoring, Priyanka Paul, Is a Hinduphobic Hate Monger

Menace comes in multiple forms. The most recent one is Artwhoring, Priyanka Paul. Netizens voiced strong protests against Priyanka Paul who is a controversial Instagram user who goes by the name Artwhoring. Accused of hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community, Paul’s provocative artworks have sparked significant outrage.

Provocative Artwork or Deliberate Insult?

Priyanka Paul, identifying as an “Ambedkarite Feminist,” has garnered attention for her posters that depict Hindu gods in highly controversial and disrespectful ways. Her most recent piece portrays Dr. B.R. Ambedkar assaulting Lord Ram, with the religious slogan “Jai Shri Ram” written halfway, while chanting “Jai Bhim!” This artwork, along with others targeting revered figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been seen as a direct affront to Hindu beliefs.

These depictions are not isolated incidents but part of a recurring theme in Paul’s work. Her portrayal of Lord Ram tied to a tree and being whipped by Ambedkar, combined with dismissive and provocative captions, further cements the perception that her primary intent is to provoke and offend.

Hinduphobia in Art

Paul’s work is widely seen as Hinduphobic due to its consistent and targeted attack on Hindu deities and symbols. By repeatedly choosing Hindu gods as subjects for derogatory representations, Paul perpetuates a narrative that disrespects and maligns Hinduism. Her caption, which claims Hinduism “begins and ends with UNTOUCHABILITY,” not only distorts the complexities of the religion but also reduces it to a single, negative aspect.

This selective targeting is problematic. While addressing issues such as caste discrimination by demeaning a religion as a whole is unjustifiable. Paul’s actions are seen as an attempt to provoke the Hindu community under the guise of social commentary, which deepens the divide rather than fostering understanding.

Legal and Social Backlash Against Priyanka Paul

The backlash against Paul has been swift and severe. Many users have tagged Maharashtra Police, demanding legal action against her for hurting religious sentiments. Retailers like Redbubble, which have sold products featuring her controversial art, have also been called out. The controversy has even reached personal levels, with Paul’s tattoo of Lord Ram being whipped by Ambedkar drawing significant ire.

This backlash highlights the broader societal implications of her work. By consistently offending Hindu sentiments, Paul is creating a hostile environment that detracts from the serious issues she claims to address.

A Call for Responsibility in Artistic Expression

While art can be a powerful tool for social change, it comes with the responsibility to respect the beliefs and sentiments of others. Priyanka Paul’s work as Artwhoring fails in this regard. Her provocative and inflammatory depictions of Hindu deities do not contribute to meaningful dialogue but instead incite anger and division.

Priyanka Paul’s art, under the pseudonym Artwhoring, is heavily Hinduphobic in nature. Her deliberate and repeated targeting of Hindu deities and symbols is seen as an unwarranted attack on Hindu sentiments. True artistic expression should seek to enlighten and bridge divides, not deepen them!