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Generation under fire for disrespecting Hindu deity in now deleted social media post

Generation under fire for disrespecting Hindu deity in now deleted social media post

Users spotted a poster of a heavily doctored version of a Hindu deity with an employee's face pasted on top in their post.
18 Jun, 2021

Fashion brand Generation has come under fire for a recent social media post that featured in the background a disrespectfully edited image of a Hindu deity.

The brand uploaded an image from the farewell ceremony of an employee, where a picture of the employee's face was pasted on top of the deity's head and each of the deity's hands carried items, such as a laptop, cell phone, clothes on a hanger and a camera, ostensibly to show that the employee multitasked at work.

Obviously, this image is extremely disrespectful to Hindus.

The problem here is twofold: the picture itself is extremely disrespectful but outrage over the disrespect of Hinduism isn't proportionate to the usual level of rage when religion is insulted in Pakistan.

Though the brand issued an apology later, people didn't believe that was enough.

"We respect our viewers' diverse beliefs. Yesterday an image was posted that was not respectful to the Hindu community and we had no intention to be disrespectful to anyone's religious sentiments," read the apology.

"We wholeheartedly apologise to each and every person who’s sentiments that post hurt, it is not representative of us as human beings or as a brand. We are learning to be more respectful and considerate every day."

Users have been calling out the brand for its apology as well as the doctored image.

"Portraying our scared Mother Goddess picture, editing that with their filthy means. Such a shameless act is coming from this brand!" said Twitter user Sumeet Rathore, who questioned whether the outrage would be the same if similar disrespect was done to another religion.

"[The] irony is, growing apprehension and their small apology. We must be respectful to each other irrespective of religious affiliation. This is heartrending that a brand is seen to be engaged in religious hatred. Can anyone here justify the concept of apology later?" he asked.

Human rights activist Kapil Dev was among those that thought the apology was insufficient, saying, "Just wondering if a mere apology is enough to get away from this?"

Another Twitter user wondered why religion was being brought into jokes at all.

People also pointed out the hypocrisy in being offended when Zara's head designer made Islamophobic comments but not when a Pakistani brand mocked Hinduism.

As Pakistanis and human beings, we should be outraged when any religion is disrespected. That a local brand that prides itself on diversity and inclusivity did something like this is even more disappointing because it shows how little we respect other people's religions. No one's religion should be the butt of your joke and we wish our people didn't need to mess up so spectacularly to learn to be more respectful.

Comments

Sam Jun 18, 2021 02:34pm
Very good response by the civil society. Keep going friends. We need a new, just world. Every little bit matters.
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TZaman Jun 18, 2021 03:16pm
Simply boycott the brand and it's products.
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M. Saeed Jun 18, 2021 03:42pm
But, when they thresh and cut beard of an 80+ years old Muslim and show their jubilation on viral media, it is okay for them.
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well-wisher Jun 18, 2021 05:46pm
Repeat the apology in block letters that's big enough. Respect all religions. EVEN Hindus can learn after Babri masjid attack without an apology.
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Rebirth Jun 18, 2021 05:47pm
If we can’t find the same kind of orders for our textile industry as before, and they’ve simply become a part of our local fashion industry’s supply chain, then why not have our fashion industry export their goods instead, to make up for the shortfall? They managed to make room in the Indian market but the patriotic and honorable citizens of India decided to undo that. Focus on the western and southern sides of the country. Follow the model of Firdaws, a brand that has become a huge success from Dagestan to Deutschland.
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Farhan Jun 18, 2021 07:29pm
If Hindu community mind, don't care about them..... As they are independent in this country, there is no example in the world.... But Muslims live in fear in India....
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Daniel Pearl Jun 18, 2021 11:05pm
@M. Saeed that's fake news. Check your source
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Ishaq Hussani Jun 18, 2021 11:26pm
@Farhan your dad lived in India ?
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Corrution fighter Jun 19, 2021 12:55am
@M. Saeed: That was fake news circulated to create animosity.
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Justice for all Jun 19, 2021 01:39am
@M. Saeed There has been no jubilation at all. Do you have any evidence of that ? Its a matter of shame that an Indian elderly person was subjected to this humiliation by his own countrymen. It now appears to have been a politically motivated incident. The culprits shld and will not be spared
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Truth be told Jun 19, 2021 01:41am
Do a "Durga funny cartoon" search and you will see multiple images of 'humourous' nature and then you will realize that Generation didn't do anything that Hindus don't do themselves.
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Ibrahim Jun 19, 2021 03:06am
@M. Saeed - Just wait, we or our children will see the demise of bigoted India. RSS Indian arrogance will end India as a natural recourse . They have been waiting to see the demise of Pakistan since 1947. But we are still standing ..
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Jeet Jun 19, 2021 06:56am
@Rebirth - Not the citizens of India.
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Truth be told Jun 19, 2021 07:43am
Do a "Durga funny cartoon" search and you will be surprised how often the Hindus themselves have been poking fun at themselves which totally absolves Generation of any disrespect; most likely a similar online search must've led to copying the idea for the event.
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Vipan kumar Jun 19, 2021 09:21am
@M. Saeed read the indian newspaper report after police made detailed investigation.
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Raj Jun 19, 2021 11:15am
not all people in society are bad, always there is positive side
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Abrar Jun 19, 2021 12:01pm
Brand's apology statement said thay had no intention of hurting anyone's sentiments.....realy?? this was done on purpose everyone knows how marketing communication works, there are multiple layers of approvals before final message is published, hard to believe there was not a single sane mind in the whole process. Not in favor of bans but this brand definitely needs to be penalised for their outrageous post.
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TZaman Jun 19, 2021 12:24pm
@M. Saeed Shame on you. Have some pride that you are a Pakistani. We are a civilized nation.
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