Amidst the ongoing attacks on Hindu temples and the alarming rise of Hinduphobia in the United States, American broadcaster NBC has come under fire for its blatant misrepresentation of Hinduism in a so-called “comic” Satanic cult skit featuring Lady Gaga aired on its popular show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). The controversial segment, which aired on March 8, has sparked widespread outrage, particularly within the Hindu community, for its unwarranted references to Hindu Gods and the sacred incantation “Om Namah Shivaya.”
The controversy erupted when pop star Lady Gaga made her hosting debut on SNL, featuring in a skit titled Friendly’s Birthday Gone Wrong. The segment, intended as a satirical take on satanic cults, featured red-cloaked characters, fake blood, and ritualistic elements reminiscent of Indiana Jones. One character, named ‘Mola Ram,’ attempted to intimidate the protagonist, and another chanted “Om Namah Shivaya.” This reckless incorporation of Hindu religious symbolism into a mock Satanic ritual was seen as not just offensive but also deeply problematic, reinforcing negative stereotypes about Hinduism.
The backlash was swift, with social media erupting in criticism against SNL for its blatant Hinduphobia. Many pointed out that at a time when Hindus in the U.S. are facing escalating hate crimes and temple vandalizations, mainstream media’s mockery of Hindu beliefs is unacceptable. Adding fuel to the fire, some viewers also accused SNL and Lady Gaga of furthering hidden Satanic messaging, citing her history of provocative artistry, such as the infamous meat dress and the controversial Judas music video.
The SNL Hinduphobic skit comes amid a disturbing rise in anti-Hindu sentiment across the U.S. On March 8, the same day the skit aired, extremists vandalized the BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California. The temple walls were defaced with hate-filled slogans like ‘F*ck Modi,’ ‘Modi Murdabad,’ and ‘Hindustan Murdabad.’ The BAPS organization condemned the attack, reaffirming the Hindu community’s resilience against hate.
This attack is part of a worrying pattern. In January, California’s Vijay Sherawali Temple was defaced with pro-Khalistan slogans. Last September, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Sacramento was similarly vandalized, following a similar incident at a BAPS temple in New York. Additionally, a Christian group recently disrupted worship at the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Texas, hurling anti-Hindu slurs and shouting, “May all the false gods burn to the ground.”
According to the California Civil Rights Department, anti-Hindu hate crimes have now become the second-most reported form of religious bias in the state. Earlier during his Presidential Campaigning bid, even U.S. President Donald Trump had acknowledged the concerning rise of Hinduphobia.
At a time when Hindu communities in the U.S. are facing targeted attacks, it is alarming that mainstream media outlets like NBC are perpetuating Hinduphobia rather than condemning it. Saturday Night Live’s skit, far from being comedic, contributed to the increasing hostility toward Hindus by falsely associating Hindu practices with Satanism.
