AHAD sent the following letter to the CEO of Walmart demanding that the offending products be removed from Walmart online immediately. The products were eventually removed.
Doug McMillon
President and CEO
Walmart Inc.
702 S.W. 8th St.
Bentonville, AR 72716
Dear Mr. McMillon,
We, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), write to express our most profound disappointment and outrage over Walmart’s sale of thongs, briefs, underwear and other products featuring the sacred image of Ganesha, a revered Hindu deity (representation of God). This action represents a profound insult to the sentiments of over 1 billion Hindus worldwide who hold Lord Ganesha in the highest regard. These product can be found in the Walmart online store at:
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=ganesh+easygdp
We realize that some of the egregious products have been removed. However, many others remain. We specifically find the following to be most offensive:
- Easygdp Celestial Ganesh Blessings Slippers for Women Mens Winter Warm Home Slippers Plush Slip on House Slippers for Indoor Outdoor Shoes-8. Hindus remove shoes before entering their homes and temples, to have God images on slipper is very offensive.
- Easygdp Celestial Ganesh Blessings Beach Towel 27.5X55 Inches Quick Dry Pool Towel Travel Compact Bath Towel Sandproof Beach Blanket Towel for Swimming. Wiping body with divine image?
- Easygdp Celestial Ganesh Blessings Women’s Long-Sleeve Shirt and Full-Length Bottom Pajama Set,Two Piece Loungewear Soft Pajama Top and Pants Pjs Sleepwear-XX-Large. We do not endorse using God’s imagery on pants.
Ganesha, worshipped as the Remover of Obstacles, is among the most beloved deities in Hinduism. He is honored as the first deity to be worshipped in any ritual or auspicious undertaking, signifying the foundational respect accorded to him in Hindu culture. Depicting Lord Ganesha on items such as thongs, briefs, underwear, and the products above is not only highly inappropriate but deeply offensive, reducing a symbol of profound spiritual significance to mere commercial novelty.
This insensitivity is not unprecedented, as AHAD has previously confronted similar actions by corporations and organizations that trivialize Hindu symbols and deities. For example:
- In 2004, we successfully protested Abercrombie & Fitch for featuring Lord Ganesha on flip-flops, leading to the product’s withdrawal.
- In 2006, we raised concerns about Urban Outfitters selling Hindu deity-themed toilet seat covers, prompting the company to cease selling such offensive items.
- More recently, in 2020, AHAD protested against a jewelry collection featuring Hindu deities inappropriately displayed by a Canadian designer, which was ultimately discontinued.
These campaigns underscore AHAD’s unwavering commitment to protecting Hindu cultural and religious symbols from being misused or demeaned in commercial ventures.
For over two decades, AHAD has served as the oldest and largest organization in North America, devoted to combating the defamation of Hinduism and ensuring accurate representations of Hindu beliefs, culture, and traditions. As part of this mission, we have consistently engaged with corporations, media, and other entities to foster understanding and respect for Hindu sensitivities.
Walmart’s actions also have significant implications for its global reputation. In countries like India, where Walmart strives to expand its presence, this insensitivity risks alienating millions of potential consumers. The Hindu community in the United States and globally will rightly view this product as an affront, raising concerns about whether Walmart truly respects diversity and religious sentiments.
We urge Walmart to:
- Immediately withdraw the product featuring Lord Ganesha from all stores and online platforms.
- Issue a formal public apology to the Hindu community for this offensive oversight.
- Implement measures to ensure that Walmart’s product design and approval processes include cultural sensitivity reviews, preventing such incidents from occurring again.
Respect for cultural and religious symbols is non-negotiable in a diverse and interconnected world. We hope Walmart will swiftly and decisively address this issue, reaffirming its commitment to being a socially responsible and inclusive global corporation.
We look forward to your prompt response.