Fashion labels apologise to Hindus for desecrating legwear
May 30, 2011 - It has only been few weeks since Byron Bay (NSW, Australia) headquartered Lisa Blue Swimwear apologized
to Hindus upset over depiction of the image of Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear.
Now, internationally acclaimed “Manish Arora” fashion label has removed the leggings, harem-pants and skirts depicting
the image of Lord Shiva in Nataraja form from its website, which protesting Hindus had termed repugnant.
Dancing Nataraja Layered Miniskirt, knee-length Dancing Nataraja Harem Pants, and Dancing Nataraja Leggings, which were
earlier available on Manish Arora Online Store for EUR 570, EUR 405, and EUR 250 respectively; were not seen on the company website today. Famous entertainers like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Kate Moss, Katy Perry, and M.I.A. have reportedly
worn Manish Arora designed dresses in the past.
Well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protests, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today commenting on
this development, said that it was “step in the right direction”. Zed urged the designer-manufacturer Manish Arora to
issue a public apology, stop selling and immediately recall all such legwear from worldwide stores which showed Hindu
Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be desecrated by wearing on the legs and
other lower parts of the body for the mercantile greed of a fashion house, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of
Hinduism, argued and added that it was disturbing to see image of Lord Shiva, who was highly revered in Hinduism, on the
legs.
Rajan Zed thanked various Hindu organizations as well as Jewish and Buddhist leaders who supported this protest. Symbols
of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, he stressed.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich
philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for
commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees, Zed pointed out.
Rajan Zed further said that in view of his Indian heritage, Manish Arora should have known better the significance of
Lord Shiva and how much venerated he was among Hindus.
“Manish Arora” fashion label, launched in 1997 and now known worldwide, is headquartered in Noida (India) as Three
Clothing Private Limited with an office in London. Its products, which besides clothing also include eyewear, cosmetics,
watches, and crockery, are stocked in well known stores worldwide. It had some kind of collaboration with Reebok, Nivea,
Absolut Vodka, and Mercedes Benz.
Nataraja (Lord of the dance) is a well known iconic representation of Lord Shiva, symbolizing his salvific, destructive,
and creative roles; when he dances the world to destruction to create it again as a chapter of the ongoing cosmic cycle.
Shiva, along with Brahma and Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.
Hindus were upset at the depiction of the image of Goddess Lakshmi on Lisa Blue swimwear reportedly displayed at
Rosemount Australian Fashion Week held in Sydney (Australia) from May 2-6. Swimwear company immediately apologized,
halting all its related production, and promising that the protested swimwear would never be available for sale.
ENDS