Harrods Apologizes Over "Hindu Bikinis"

[Guest guest]

LONDON (June 9, 2004) - London's Harrods department store has

apologised to its customers for selling controversial underwear

bearing images of Hindu goddesses.

 

Harrods removed the underwear and swimwear range from sale after a

protest by a Hindu pressure group.

 

Hindu Human Rights said the garments, created by Italian designer

Roberto Cavalli, insulted the religion.

 

The store said: "We apologise to those customers who have been

offended or distressed by the situation."

 

Hindu Human Rights, a group which says it "safeguards the religion and

its followers," lodged a complaint with the store on Monday seeking

the removal of the range.

 

"When we heard that Harrods was selling such garments, we registered

our protest. We cannot bear the insult to our religion," said

spokesperson Sheila Church.

 

"Our goddesses are revered by millions of Hindus. How can somebody use

them for such purposes? We sent Harrods a large number of signatures

protesting against it," Church said.

 

The summer range has been on sale for some time but the controversy

started on Sunday when an Indian human resources executive, Amitabh

Soni, saw mannequins bearing the brightly coloured bikinis.

 

"I was shocked to see them," he told BBC Hindi Online.

 

"When we see any image of goddesses we bow our heads with respect and

here they were displayed in such an insulting way", Mr Soni said.

 

He is now happy at the outcome, but said the store had not listened

when he asked it to remove the garments.

 

"So I got in touch with Hindu Human Rights," he said.

 

Controversies relating to Hindu icons are not new.

 

Hindu Human Rights is also protesting against the new film by Ismail

Merchant, Shakti, in which rock singer Tina Turner plays the role of

goddess Kali.

 

Last year another department store had to apologise for selling toilet

seats with images of a Hindu deity.

 

Selling slippers with Hindu symbols created trouble for a third

London-based retailer.

 

A number of designers have been attracted by the richness of Hindu

iconography and the fad for exotic ethnic patterns.

 

Source: BBC News (by Rajesh Priyadarshi, BBC Hindi online)

URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3790315.stm

[Guest guest]

Thank you Devi bhakta for posting this here...as the response to my

original posting ignited an onslaught of "criticsm" of

my "intolerance, defensive attitude and a need for spiritual

guidance," I thought it best not to contine with this topic.(so much

for tolerating other peoples views!!))) Now that you have

highlighted the fact Harrods has apologised, I would also like to

point out the designer has apologised and withdrawn the range from

his fashion houses.

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/728505.cms?

 

Thank you once again.

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta> wrote:

> LONDON (June 9, 2004) - London's Harrods department store has

> apologised to its customers for selling controversial underwear

> bearing images of Hindu goddesses.

>

> .co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3790315.stm