Aussie flag burned over image of goddess on swimsuit

Indian activists of the right-wing Hindu organisation Shiv Sena hold photocopies of models wearing swimwear featuring Hindu goddess Lakshmi as they burn an Australian flag during a demonstration in Amritsar. Picture: AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU Source: AFP

UPSET Hindus have welcomed apology from an Australian swimwear label over the depiction of image of Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney last week.

Indian activists of the right-wing Hindu organisation Shiv Sena held photocopies of models wearing swimwear featuring Lakshmi as they burned an Australian flag during a demonstration in Amritsar.

A statement attributed to Lisa Blue Swimwear, headquartered in Byron Bay said: "We would like to offer an apology to anyone we may have offended and advise that the image of Goddess Lakshmi will not appear on any piece of Lisa Blue swimwear for the new season, with a halt put on all production of the new range and pieces shown on the runway from last week removed.

"This range will never be available for sale in any stockists or retail outlets anywhere in the world. We apologize to the Hindu community and take this matter very seriously".

In a statement, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, said the apology was “a step in the right direction”.

He said inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agendas was offensive to devotees. Symbols of any faith should not be mishandled, he added.

In an earlier protest statement, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked the swimwear manufacturer and RAFW organizers to publicly apologize and immediately recall all swimwear which showed the Hindu goddess.