Upset Hindus urge Etsy to withdraw Lord Ganesha toilet seat and apologize

 

Upset Hindus are urging Brooklyn (New York) headquartered e-commerce company Etsy, Inc. for immediate withdrawal of toilet seat carrying image of Hindu deity Lord Ganesha; calling it highly inappropriate.

Is offering products like this Etsy’s way to “create a better world” whose stated Mission is “to reimagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world” and whose “Mission & Values” include “create a better world”? ask the Hindus.

It is strongly suggested that Etsy and other companies should send their senior executives 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.

In the “Item details” of “Ganesha Toilet Seat”, Lord Ganesha is described as “bathroom Ganesha” holding “a comb, mirror, toothbrush and toothpaste” and his vahana rat is replaced by a “rat tail comb”. “Perfect gift for a birthday, graduation or wedding!” it adds. It was selling for $85 at Etsy.com.

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking. There are about three million Hindus in USA and three hundred thousand in Australia according to current Census that was conducted in 2016.

 

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