Singapore-headquartered “global online fashion and lifestyle retailer” Shein seems to have withdrawn blanket-bedspread and doormat carrying images of Hindu deity Lord Ganesh after Hindus protested, calling it highly inappropriate.
These objectionable multipurpose blanket-bedspreads and doormats, which Hindus urged Shein to withdraw, were not found on its website when searched today.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada today, thanked Shein for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community, for whom the image of Lord Ganesh on such products was insensitive.
(Photo courtesy: Rajan Zed)
Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested that companies should send their concerned staff for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they have an understanding of the feelings of customers and communities when introducing new products or launching advertising campaigns.
Rajan Zed had said that it was shocking to visualize that Shein, for its mercantile greed, was apparently persuading the world to sleep on the image of Lord Ganesh on the blanket; and to scrub/wipe their shoes on the image of Lord Ganesh on the doormat to remove dirt-dust-mud before entering a door; while Lord Ganesh is worshipped by Hindus.
Hindu deity Lord Ganesh, whose image was depicted on the Ganesh Multipurpose Blanket Bedspread and doormat earlier sold at the Shein website, is highly revered in Hinduism. He is meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for covering feet and body, eating on, putting feet on, reclining, sitting, sleeping, using as pet bedding, utilizing as beach mat and ground cover, etc; as was the case for a multipurpose blanket-bedspread; and not for putting one’s feet/shoes on for cleaning or sweeping on, as was the case with doormat. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agendas was not okay, as it hurt the devotees, Zed had indicated.
Rajan Zed stated that Hindus were still waiting for an apology from the Shein Group and its CEO Xu Yangtian and Executive Chairman Donald Tang.
