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Walmart has yet to issue a statement regarding the “celestial Ganesh blessing” collection, but most of the items have been removed from their website following the backlash.
Ganesha-printed products that were previously available for sale on Walmart. (Screengrab)
Walmart is under fire after listing products featuring prints of Lord Ganesha, including slippers, undergarments, swimsuits, and trousers. Many have lambasted the American multinational retail corporation, demanding the removal of these products from their website and an apology for hurting religious sentiments.
An X (formerly Twitter) shared screenshots of the products on the microblogging website and wrote, “Listen! Walmart, featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols.”
The screenshots revealed that the items were sold by multiple vendors.
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One listing for trousers described them as, “Lukts celestial Ganesh blessings for men – sleek straight pyjama pants, versatile lounge pants, and cosy sleepwear all in one-xx-large.”
Listen!! @Walmartfeaturing Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to #Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols.… pic.twitter.com/tWDA3dkxj8— Hindu UnApologetic (@KrishnKiKanya) December 6, 2024
“This is unacceptable. You can’t demean our Hindu Gods,” wrote yet another X user while sharing another set of products on the website. “Walmart should immediately withdraw ‘Celestial Ganesh Blessings collection’ and apologise to Hindus.”
The screenshots show swimsuits, slippers, and trousers featuring Lord Ganesh prints being sold online.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), an advocacy group representing Hindu Americans, slammed Walmart for “disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits” and called for the immediate removal of the products from the retailer’s website.
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The organisation wrote, “We have written directly to Walmart regarding the disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits.”
“Ganesha is a deity worshipped by more than a billion followers of Dharma religions around the world as the remover of obstacles. We ask that these disrespectful items be immediately discontinued for sale,” they added.
The organisation also expressed willingness in a dialogue about the appropriate commercial use of images depicting Hindu deities.
Walmart has yet to issue a statement regarding the “celestial Ganesh blessing” collection, but most of the items have been removed from their website following the backlash.
