Urban Outfitters offends Hindu community yet again

Philadelphia-based retail store has been under fire for a number of similar controversies in the past

Retail stores usually find inspiration in emblems and symbols, but at times the inspiration turn ugly and downright insensitive.

Urban Outfitters, not new to controversy, found itself in hot waters for yet another offensive product found on its shelves. This time it was over a ceramic Lotus Jewelry Stand.

The Hindu community was outraged over the ceramic stand which depicted the multi-armed Hindu goddess Lakshmi sitting on a lotus.



Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, immediately took to Twitter to express his concern over the matter and asked for the product to be removed.

We urge #UrbanOutfitters to withdraw #Hindu goddess #JewelryStand, as goddess is meant to be worshipped and not for holding "rings + things”

— Rajan Zed (@rajanzed) August 9, 2015

Twelve hours after protest from the Hindu community Urban Outfitters withdrew the product from shelves.

Thanks #UrbanOutfitters for understanding #HinduCommunity concerns by removing product trivializing Hindu deity within 12 hours of #protest.

— Rajan Zed (@rajanzed) August 10, 2015

Although Rajan thanked the Philadelphia-based retail company for taking action soon, he acknowledged that the company made no attempt to apologize for the inconvenience especially since this is not the first time they have found themselves involved in a controversy like this.

In 2013, they were under fire for selling socks which featured Hindu deity Lord Ganesh.



"Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be wrapped around one's foot," said the statement by Rajan, reported HuffPost.

Soon after, the socks were pulled out of stores and an official statement from an Urban Outfitters spokesperson was released apologizing for offending its customers.

"We sincerely apologize if we offended the Hindu community and our customers. We appreciate Rajan Zed and the Universal Society of Hinduism for bringing this matter to our attention and for helping us understand the cultural and religious sensitivities this product carries. We will remove the Ganesh Socks immediately from our website and stores."

This retailer's insensitivity behaviour has led to an outburst from people on social media. Here's some reaction:
https://twitter.com/bellaaellison/status/628009816645083137
https://twitter.com/valgates182/status/628010827090632704
https://twitter.com/sassy_malassy/status/628007647753564160

.@UrbanOutfitters THIS is disgusting. #BlackTwitter u seen this? #boycotturbanoutfitters http://t.co/EiBeFL5ALS pic.twitter.com/GilSPRg1Hc

— Tiffany McKnight (@T_LynnMcKnight) August 2, 2015

What a insane company how can anyone with a heart buy this thing. http://t.co/wsHEWxgwJA #boycotturbanoutfitters

— Carl Steel (@ActorUSAPhoenix) February 13, 2015

https://twitter.com/claudiaallenby/status/577884070971117568

@NigelDynamite @_devvvvvvvv @buttered_ people need to #BoycottUrbanOutfitters, put them out of business, they're disgusting & classless xP

— jubjub (@MarkarianFitzy) September 21, 2014

EATING DISORDERS ARE NOT SOMETHING TO JOKE ABOUT OR GLORIFY #BoycottUrbanOutfitters

— History AF (@xniall_cutie) August 7, 2015

https://twitter.com/wildheartcasey/status/629780935236456448

BOYCOTT URBAN OUTFITTERS THE SHIRTS THEY SELL ARE RUDE AND OVERALL DISGUSTING #boycotturbanoutfitters

— t ꨄ (@tlcbxo) August 8, 2015

https://twitter.com/treesacoustic/status/630248610362298368
https://twitter.com/2012guitarist/status/630306657705304064
https://twitter.com/MlSSHOLY/status/630245909482340352
https://twitter.com/jadynrae34/status/629869414654078976