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Sikh Organizations Unite Against Racism International Outcry Against Video Game Linking Sikhs and Dalits to Terror SikhNet has partnered with over 100 Sikh and non-Sikh organizations around the globe to demand that video game publisher, Eidos Interactive, recall one of its games from the market. The game, Hitman 2, incites racism and hatred against Sikhs and Dalits by linking them to terrorism. The game glorifies violence against Sikhs within a Gurdwara that looks like the Harmander Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, while Dalits are portrayed as followers of an evil cult leader, according to a vivid description that was recently removed by Eidos from its web site. Please join our public campaign against hate by signing the petition. Tell Eidos that inciting hatred and bigotry against people of any religion, race or ethnicity is unacceptable. What Can You Do? 1. Ask at least 10 non-Sikh friends to sign the petition. 2. Provide your monetary support for public relations and legal purposes should this matter go to court. Click here to donate. 3. Assist you in contacting your elected officials, local media and local retailers and encouraging them to be part of this campaign. Letter Writing Campaign for Hitman 2 Video Sign the Petition Now. Email the Petition to a Friend. Updates on Recall Campaign Educate yourself about Sikhism Petition to Eidos to recall the video game - Hitman2 October 16, 2002 Michael P. McGarvey Chief Executive Officer Eidos plc. Registered Office Wimbledon Bridge House 1 Hartfield Road Wimbledon London SW19 32RU Dear Mr McGarvey: The game Hitman 2: Silent Assassin has been brought to our attention. We have received numerous complaints about the racist nature of the game from across the globe. It was felt that if you were made aware of the potentially serious ramifications of your involvement in the game and the international outcry against the racist nature of this game that you would want to limit the damage to your company's name and reputation by removing this game from the market. A close look at this game reveals a strong prejudice against Sikhs (adherents of the fifth largest religion in the world) and Dalits (literally meaning "broken" people who face oppression stemming from the Hindu caste system). [1] One of the locations in the game takes the players to Punjab. The location description states: "A magnificent, ancient gurdwara (Sikh temple) - complete with marble inlays, glazed tiles, filigree partitions, priceless old wall paintings and gold domes - is flanked by a qila (old fort) and protected by high walls as well as fanatical believers - in front, a maze of small shops and bangalas (small houses) gives evidence of riches and prosperity in this otherwise poverty stricken remote region of Punjab in Northern India. Relentless loos (hot dry winds that blow across the plains of North India during summer) keeps this little oasis isolated from the outside world. A Sikh uprising in this region in the mid 80's was ruthlessly cracked down on by government issued troops, and many innocents were killed - ever since, no outsider has dared venture into this territory for fear of reprisals." Based on the physical description of the Gurdwara, one can state with certainty that it refers to the Harmander Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, which was attacked by the Indian Army in June 1984. During the attack thousands of innocent Sikhs and possibly others were killed.[2] Furthermore, the filigree and artwork shown in the game match the sacred ornamentation on the walls of the Harmander Sahib. The Harmander Sahib is a holy Sikh place of worship that serves as a religious and a political center for the Sikhs worldwide. The Harmander Sahib is held in reverence, just as the Vatican by Catholics. Whether the Gurdwara portrayed in the game is Harmander Sahib or not, such a graphical portrayal of violence within the sacred grounds of any religious place -- whether a Gurdwara, a Temple, a Church or a Mosque, is completely unacceptable. Given the media-constructed images linking Sikhs to terrorism and the oppression that Sikhs have endured in Punjab for the past twenty years, this game shows a deliberate lack of decency and sensitivity by depicting a turbaned Sikh succumbing to violent aggression within the sacred precincts of a historic Sikh shrine. Such actions in your game encourage hate and may possibly endanger innocent Sikhs all over the world by connecting Sikhs with terror. The world has been shaken by the terrible tragedy of September 11, 2001. Since September 11th, Sikhs, like others, have been grappling with grief and fear. Hundreds of Sikhs have become targets of hate crimes because of their appearance alone. Several innocent Sikhs have been murdered as a result of this bigotry. By propogating hate and stereotypes, Hitman 2 irresponsibly adds to this climate of intolerance. We pray that misplaced racial and ethnic victimization - of Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Dalits and people of all faiths and colors - will not continue. The Sikh community invites you to join us in bringing about mutual understanding and deep respect for all people. Across North America and in Europe, the only people who wear turbans are Sikhs. Sikhism is a revealed, monotheistic faith that stresses the equality of all men and women. Sikhs believe in three basic principles: meditating on the name of God (praying), earning a living by honest means, and sharing the fruits of one's labor with others. Sikhism rejects caste and class systems and emphasizes service to humanity. One of the characters shown in the game refers to a cult leader: Zip Master Deewana Ji is the self-proclaimed satguru of a cult called Samhara Dharma that worships Kali, the malevolent Hindu goddess of war, and studies advanced computer technologies. His panth (followers) comprise a strange blend of dalits (the lowest Hindu caste, aka untouchables), thugz (a sect of murderers and robbers, hitherto believed to be exterminated by the English colonialists almost two centuries ago) as well as top trained computer engineers. The Dalits are a people who have faced oppression that continues today. Dalits are not "untouchables" and strongly resent such a characterization. To charge a nation of 200 million people worldwide as followers of an injurious cult leader is an unacceptable practice and factually incorrect. We are seeking an agreeable resolution to what appears to be an egregious act of racism and promotion of hatred against Sikhs and Dalits, as depicted in Hitman 2. We stipulate the following: Issue an apology to Sikhs and Dalits worldwide. Recall all copies of the game from distributors and retailers. Remove all scenes depicting Sikhs and Gurdwaras immediately from all versions of the game in-stock and from those recalled. Remove all offensive mention of Dalits as followers of an evil cult leader from all versions of this game. Remove all references to Dalits, Gurdwaras and Sikhs immediately from all media advertisements, promotions and the content from all web sites owned by Eidos, its partners and its affiliates. The undersigned organizations and individuals worldwide would like a written response from Eidos with a project plan showing how it plans to achieve the aforementioned stipulations. If a satisfactory response is not received, these organizations will seek further action against Eidos and its partners. A respected publicly traded company such as Eidos should be concerned about the economic and other repercussions that may result from negative publicity and damage to its reputation. At a time when the world is grappling with issues of international violence, extremism and racism, the Dalits and the Sikhs are deeply concerned about media stereotypes in the video game world that depict violence as a form of victory over people of a particular faith, ethnicity or origin. The undersigned organizations stand in solidarity with 26 million Sikhs and 200 million Dalits worldwide in strongly objecting to the hateful content associated with Sikhs and Dalits in the video game, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. We appreciate your earnest consideration and rapid response in removing the offending material from your website and look forward to a positive response to the fundamental issues by removing this content from the video game. Sincerely, US Organizations The Sikh Coalition Sikh Network Sikh Communications Council SikhNet Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force Sikh Council On Religion & Education Sikhe.com United Sikhs in Service of America American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sikh Sentinal Sikh American Association Kaur Foundation SikhPoint.com Columbia University Sikhs Sikh Association of Boston University Sikh Heresy Regulation Board Sikh-Sewa Sikh Students Associations - Illinois Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington Sikh Volunteers of Washington Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Gurdwara, NY Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Glenrock, NJ Gurudwara Sacha Marg, Kent, WA Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Marysville, WA Sikh Sisterhood Sikh Religious Society of Chicago Sikh Society of Minnesota Sikh Foundation, Inc. (WA) Washington Sikh Center Sikh Youth Forum Sikh Association of Central Virginia Bay Area Sikhs Sikh Sabha of New Jersey International Institute of Gurmat Studies, California Iota Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., New York Sikh Student Association at Binghamton University, New York Sikh Student Association - San Diego, California Sikh Student Alliance - Coalition of Sikh Student organizations from Southern California QuamiEkta.com World Sikh Council - America Region The Sikh Cultural Society of New York Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society of Cleveland, Ohio Sikh Foundation of Virginia Gurdwara, Fairfax Station, Virginia IkOnkar, The First International Sikh Youth Magazine The Sikh Youth Commission, Washington D.C. Sikh Study Circle, Inc, Atlanta, Georgia Sikh Students Association - Kingston Central Jersey Sikh Association, Windsor, New Jersey Sikh Students Associations, Queens College, New York Sikh Student Association, University Of California -Riverside Tri State Sikh Cultural Society Pittsburgh, PA UK Organizations Sikh Secretariat Working Group on Sikhs and Education (WorkSE) United Sikhs in Service of Europe Oxford University Sikh Society British Sikh Federation Federation of Sikh Organisations, UK Akhand Kirtani Jatha, UK Brunel University (UK) Sikh Society School of Pharmacy Sikh Society, University of London Khalsa Human Rights Sikhs in England (SIE) Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, London, UK Sikh Arts and Cultural Association (SACA), UK Awaze Qaum International, UK Sikh Society of Westminster University, UK Council of Sikh Gurudwaras in Birmingham, UK Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, UK, Kenya, Anandpur, Hazur Sahib Sikh Community & Youth Service (UK) Canadian Organizations Canadian Sikh Council, Montreal, Canada Montreal Sikh Students Association, Montreal, Canada Anti-Racist-Action Montreal, Montreal, Canada Sikh Awareness & Resource Centre, Calgary, Canada Sikh Virsa, Monthly Magazine from Calgary, Canada The Maritime Sikh Society, Canada The Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria, B.C., Canada Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, Surrey, B.C., Canada Akali Singh Sikh Society, Vancouver, B.C., Canada Sikh Students Association at University of Toronto, Canada Waheguru Simran Society, Canada United Sikh Federation, Canada The West Coast Sikh Youth Alliance, B.C., Canada Australian Organizations Sikh Kirtan Prachar Mission of Australia, Inc. The North Shore Sikh Association of Sydney Inc., Sydney, Australia Australian Sikh Association, Australia Malaysian Organizations Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa, Malaysia Indonesian Organizations Sikh Youth Organization of Indonesia (HUMSIKHA), Indonesia Punjab based Organizations The Nanakshahi Trust Non-Sikh Organizations in support Anti-Racist-Action Montreal, Montreal, Canada Iota Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., New York Islamic School of Seattle, Seattle, WA National Council of Hindu Temples (UK) Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington, WA Asian Pacific Islander Coalition (APIC) Arab American Institute Chinese Information and Service Center Delta Epsilon Sigma Iota Fraternity, Inc. AFL-CIO, Pride at Work Adrian Dominican Sisters American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) American Jewish Committee (AJC) Arab American Institute (AAI) Council on Arab Islamic Relations (CAIR) Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) The Interfaith Alliance National Asian Pacific American Legal Center (NAPALC) National Congress of American Indians Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Muslim American Society (MAS) Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Saint Joseph Health System Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington Japanese American Citizens League Tahirih Justice Center San Juan Parish Catholic Church Holy Family Parish, New Mexico References: For more information on Dalits, see http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/india/index.htm For more information on state terror against the Sikhs, see http://www.sikhcoalition.org/HumanRights.asp