Madhu Patel
CHICAGO: The New York based luxury brand Judith Leiber Couture has replaced leather-lined interior with synthetic-lined interior of Hindu deity Ganesh shaped $5,995 handbag, after a huge protest from devotees dubbing it highly disturbing.
Judith Leiber Couture, in a statement of its President Lela Katsune: “We are deeply sorry to hear that our Ganesh bag has caused offense to the Hindu community…effective immediately we will be ceasing production on this style with leather lining. Going forward, this style will be produced with a synthetic lining. Customers who have purchased a Ganesh bag will have the option of replacing the leather lining with a synthetic interior free of cost.
RajanZed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, spearhead the protest from Indian Americans and Hindus Judith Leiber, which claimed to be “synonymous with elegance, style, and sophistication”; should not be in the business of sacrilege, mocking serious spiritual practices and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of immensely venerated Lord Ganesh to be portrayed like this, Zed had indicated.
He said Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers. In Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Ganesh Shri handbag was made in Italy. Judith Leiber Couture was established in 1963.
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