Walmart faces backlash over items featuring Lord Ganesha on underwears, slippers

Walmart faces backlash over items featuring Lord Ganesha on underwears, slippers

New Delhi: Walmart faced backlash after customers reported discovering slippers, undergarments, and swimsuits featuring images of Lord Ganesha.Several social media users shared screenshots from the retailer’s website, accusing the company of disrespecting the religious feelings of the Hindu community.

“Listen!! Walmart featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols,” read the post that shared the photos.Walmart

Hindu body condemns

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), an organisation advocating for the rights of Hindu Americans, condemned the incident as a “disrespectful misuse.” “Dear @Walmart: Disrespect is not fashionable. Hindu deities like Ganesha hold profound spiritual significance for over a billion followers worldwide. Items like slippers and bathing suits featuring sacred imagery demean the reverence with which these symbols are held. We have formally reached out to Walmart, urging the immediate discontinuation of these items. We call on you to stand for respect and cultural sensitivity,” they said in a statement.

Many days after social media posts criticised Walmart for allegedly using images of the Hindu God inappropriately, the items were no longer available on the website. Despite this, users remained outraged and urged brands to show greater respect for religious sentiments.Walmart
Walmart

Previous instances

This is not the first instance of a brand openly displaying objectionable content. In April 2022, the clothing brand ‘Sahara Ray Swim’ created controversy by featuring images of Hindu deities on its swimwear collection. The brand is owned by Sahara Ray, a former surfer who later became an OnlyFans model.

Previously, in May 2019, Amazon was found selling floor mats and toilet covers adorned with images of revered Hindu Gods and Goddesses. In October 2018, Ankita Mishra, a Non-resident Indian, was compelled to write a letter to the ‘House of Yes’ nightclub in Bushwick, New York, after discovering paintings of Hindu deities on its walls.Israeli PM Netanyahu to take witness stand on Dec 10 in his corruption trial

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