Ganesha-Printed Underwear, Slippers on Walmart site - Hindus Upset
When customers learned that Walmart was selling swimsuits, underwear, slippers, and other things with Lord Ganesha emblazoned on them, the Hindu community, particularly in the US, was enraged. Images of the objects have gone viral. The retail company was accused by several social media users of cultural illiteracy and offending religious feelings. Additionally, they insisted that Walmart remove the products from the website.
The "disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers and bathing suits" was also criticized by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a group that advocates for the rights of Hindu Americans.
"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," HAF stated. "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."
After the backlash, many of the items, including slippers, socks, and underwear, were taken off the site but others, such as the Ganesha printed swimsuits continued to be available for sale.
Social media users responded to the event by pleading with companies to show greater consideration for religious beliefs.
"Cultural ignorance has provoked fury in the past. It is extremely insulting to the millions of believers to depict Lord Ganesha on objects like underpants and slippers. vikram Rathod (@dhonidevmodi) tweeted, "Brands must realize that honoring cultural emotions is not optional—it is imperative. “It is not 'creative,' but offensive, to use sacred symbols like Lord Ganesha on inappropriate items. Respect for cultures and faiths is a fundamental requirement, not a passing fad. Walmart, do better.
Another X user Meru (@MeruBhaiya) said, "Did no one at Walmart have the sense to realize that putting Lord #Ganesh on slippers and a bikini would deeply offend Hindus? This is beyond disrespectful and doesn't look like an honest mistake at all. Who is responsible for designing such an insulting product, Walmart?"
The "disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers and bathing suits" was also criticized by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a group that advocates for the rights of Hindu Americans.
"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," HAF stated. "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."
After the backlash, many of the items, including slippers, socks, and underwear, were taken off the site but others, such as the Ganesha printed swimsuits continued to be available for sale.
Social media users responded to the event by pleading with companies to show greater consideration for religious beliefs.
"Cultural ignorance has provoked fury in the past. It is extremely insulting to the millions of believers to depict Lord Ganesha on objects like underpants and slippers. vikram Rathod (@dhonidevmodi) tweeted, "Brands must realize that honoring cultural emotions is not optional—it is imperative. “It is not 'creative,' but offensive, to use sacred symbols like Lord Ganesha on inappropriate items. Respect for cultures and faiths is a fundamental requirement, not a passing fad. Walmart, do better.
Another X user Meru (@MeruBhaiya) said, "Did no one at Walmart have the sense to realize that putting Lord #Ganesh on slippers and a bikini would deeply offend Hindus? This is beyond disrespectful and doesn't look like an honest mistake at all. Who is responsible for designing such an insulting product, Walmart?"