London headquartered “global online retail clothing company” British Leggings removed legging carrying image of Hindu deity Lord Ganesha within 24-hours of Hindu protest; which called it “highly inappropriate”.
“Ganesha Leggings”, earlier selling for £15 at britishleggings.co.uk, showed up as “Sorry, there are no posts to display”, when searched online at company’s website today.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked British Leggings for understanding the concerns of Hindu community which thought image of Lord Ganesha on such a product was insensitive.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, however, pointed out that they were still waiting for a formal apology from British Leggings CEO to the Hindu community. Rajan Zed suggested that British Leggings and other companies should send their senior executives for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they had an understanding of the feelings of customers and communities when introducing new products or launching advertising campaigns.
Zed had said that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s legs. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled; Rajan Zed had noted.
Zed had stated that such trivialization of Hindu deities was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added. In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Description of these objectionable “Ganesha Leggings”, included: “These beautiful leggings feature printed Ganesha God on one side of the leg. They are original, very feminine and have an edgy look about them”. Founded in 2014 by Natalia Rakowska; British Leggings described its leggings as “fashionable, cool and divine” and “eye-catching”.
Source: World Hindu Network