Google removes Sanatan Sanstha 5 Apps from Play Store on Diwali

• Action supposedly taken on the grounds of being associated with organisations involved in violence against civilians !
• How can violence be encouraged through Apps that guide how Hindus should live with spirituality ? : Sanatan Sanstha

Mumbai – Sanatan Sanstha has been imparting knowledge on Spirituality for many years through its Apps that guide on sattvik conduct, education on Dharma and spiritual practice. These Apps have been available for free on the Google Play Store; however, on Diwali, 8th November, 5 Apps of Sanatan Sanstha were removed by Google without any prior notice to Sanatan Sanstha. Following this action, Google informed in an E-mail that it is removing these Apps because these contained content related to movements or organisations associated with violence against civilians. Among the removed Apps, the ‘Sanatan Chaitanyavani’ App has over 65,000 users. This App contains chants, shlokas, stotras, etc. of various Deities. The ‘Shraddhavidhi’ App provides spiritual information on Shraddhakarma (Rituals related to the deceased) in Hindu Dharma and related doubts have been clarified. The ‘Shri Ganesh Puja and Arati’ App provides detailed spiritual information on the worship of Shri Ganesh. This App guides society on performing spiritual practice and religious activities in an appropriate manner. Sanatan Sanstha has enquired how can violence be encouraged through such an App.

Sanatan Sanstha condemns Google’s action and is taking legal advice. For the App users, the information in these Apps is available for free on Sanatan’s website Sanatan.org and everyone is requested to benefit from this

Removed Apps can still be used on mobiles

Although these Apps are no longer available on the Google Play Store, these have not been banned. Those who have already downloaded and installed these Apps will still be able to continue using it on their mobiles. However, these Apps cannot be updated until this issue is resolved. The following Apps have been removed from Google Play Store –

1. ‘Sanatan Sanstha’ App

2. ‘Sanatan Chaitanyavani’ App

3. ‘Ganesh Puja and Aarti’ App

4. ‘Shraddhavidhi’ App

5. ‘Survival guide’ App (Guides about what to do to protect yourself in an emergency ?)

Editorial Viewpoint

• Google should clarify the basis on which it comes to such a conclusion when the Indian Courts have made it clear repeatedly that Sanatan Sanstha is not involved in any crime.
• Please note that Google, which does not remove Apps related to the terrorist Zakir Naik, removes Apps of Sanatan Sanstha, which guides society on Spirituality.