In India, all Gods of different religions are treated with supreme respect and insulting or hurting one’s religious idol can create massive outrage on the internet would invite the wrath of millions of devotees.
Recently, a US company was on the receiving end after coming with up a marketing blunder.
The company called Wayfair in the United States didn’t even hesitate to put up an advertisement for a product called, “Yoga Bath Mats” which had pictures of Lord Shiva, Ganesh and other Indian deities. How can companies stoop to a low to insult and hurt the religious sentiments by coming up with ads like these? When will they learn a lesson?
The Boston-based Wayfair that deals with selling home goods, sold it for $38 and more, and stated it as “Yoga Asian Lord with Third Eye Bath Rug by East Urban Home”, and “Asian Face of Elephant Lord Bath Rug”.
In the past also, there were complaints about Wayfair selling the Hindu Gods stamped bath rugs.
Soon, there was a huge backlash on a social media platform and people hit out at the fact that they hadn’t learnt from their blunder despite having been taught a lesson in the past.
Last year, Wayfair detached a cutting board carrying the picture of Lord Ganesha and had also apologised for its act, after massive protests by Hindu activists.
Even Amazon faced heavy criticism for selling bath mats, floor mats and toilet covers showing Hindus idol Lord Ganesha. If sources are to be believed, there is a petition with 156,000 signatures from citizens across the world protesting against the company’s cultural appropriation.