ওয়াশিংটন বাংলা রেডিও Washington Bangla Radio USA

Nevada, May 29 (IBNS) Jews are supporting a US-based Hindu group, who were upset at the depiction of the image of Lord Shiva in Nataraja form on leggings, harem-pants and miniskirts, by internationally acclaimed “Manish Arora” fashion label of India. 

Rabbi ElizaBeth W. Beyer, well known Jewish leader in Nevada (USA), in a statement on Sunday said that although reflection of the sacred may be an attempt to compliment, the fashion house is obviously insensitive in trying to market Hinduism’s venerated deity and sacred concept. She asked “Manish Arora” fashion label to avoid offending billion Hindus by reworking the image with appropriate consultants.  

Beyer comments that liberal Jews generally favor freedom of expression, but businesses should also show responsibility and not unnecessarily use revered religious traditions and symbols to advance commercial interests. Faiths which have special images of the divine are sacred to devotees; attempts at misuse could hurt their feelings.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in his release from western USA, has earlier said that it was disturbing to see an image of Lord Shiva, who was revered in Hinduism, on women's legwear.  Shiva was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not 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, urged Manish Arora to publicly apologize, stop selling and immediately recall all such legwear which showed Hindu Lord Shiva.  Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial exploitation hurt the devotees.  

Businesses should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects and sacred symbols of all religions, Rajan Zed stresses.

“Manish Arora” fashion label, launched in 1997 and now well known worldwide, is headquartered in Noida (India) as Three Clothing Private Limited with an office in London. Famous entertainers like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Kate Moss, Katy Perry, and M.I.A. have reportedly worn Manish Arora designed dresses. 

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.

Recently, a model displayed an image of Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at a fashion event held in Sydney (Australia), which caused protests worldwide.  The swimwear company immediately apologized, halting all its related production, and promising that the protested swimwear would not be sold.