Hindus slam deity on shoes

2003-05-01 22:39

New Delhi - Hindus in the United States are up in arms against an American for making slippers with motifs of a deity on them, according to a website on Thursday.

The IndiaCause website said the slippers made by American Eagle with the outlines of the elephant god Ganesha, were priced at $12.50 a pair.

According to the website, the company which manufactured the slippers specialises in informal attire, beach dresses and legwear, with around 750 stores across the United States and Canada.

The IndiaCause website said a letter sent on behalf of the Hindu community had asked the company "to withdraw the product from the market immediately".

"Though AE customer service has responded positively, we have not received any formal reply from the management so far," it added.

However, the Indian media said on Thursday the company had withdrawn the footwear.

IndiaCause had sucessfully campaigned against another US-based firm called "Sittin Pretty," which a few years ago drew the ire of the Hindus by painting pictures of two Hindu deities on the backrests of toilet seats.

- AFX