E-Paper
Thong with Sikh symbol sparks protests in US
CafePress.com had displayed the innerwear with the Sikh holy symbol of 'Khanda' printed on the front.
A women's undergarment bearing a Sikh religious symbol and put up for sale on a website has been taken off after strong protests from several Sikh organisations.
CafePress.com, a business-to- customer Internet firm, had displayed the innerwear with the Sikh holy symbol of 'Khanda' printed on the front. It was put up for sale by the WyrdGypsies Emporium and the accompanying description read: "Are u a practicing Sikh? How about your wife? She may not want them, but I'm sure the hip Sikh daughters will find these a hit."
Sikh organisations, under the umbrella of the World Sikh Council-America Region (WSC-AR), objected to the display of the thong and wrote to Cafepress on Jan 26, asking it to remove the offensive garment.
"The larger issue is that many people of faith are offended by seeing sacred symbols in such provocative and degrading pieces of clothing," Dr. Tarunjit Singh, secretary general and chair of the WSC-AR's Interfaith Committee, told the agency.
He, however, said if such symbols were used in outer clothing, it would not be offensive.
The WSC-AR complaint said: "We are very disappointed to know that CafePress is selling an item offensive to the Sikh faith.... The underwear with the Sikh symbol and the accompanying language is racist and demeans the Sikh faith. This is especially hurtful because the Sikh community has been preferentially victimised after 9/11."
Singh said following the e-mail, CafePress.com had spoken to the emporium, which agreed to remove the product.
Sikh religious organisations expressed satisfaction that the website had taken prompt action and the product was removed four hours after the complaint.
"We also appeal to them to consider removing similar items with Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faith symbols," Singh said.
The emporium is still offering several similar products for sale on the website. Thongs with the sacred Hindu symbol of Om - 'Om Classic Thong' - is priced at $10.33 and the 'What would Jesus do?' thong with the image of Christ is priced at $11.99.
CafePress.com did not respond to calls for comments.
