NEW YORK, U.S.A., July 3, 2003: India Cause, a watch dog group of Hindus in America, is unhappy over the use of the Om symbol as decoration on socks. “We are outraged seeing such repetitive insults and attack on Indian culture,” India Cause coordinator Sanjeev Dahiwadkar said. Gold Medal Hosiery in New York, which distributes the offending socks, declined to comment.
Dahiwadkar said there had been at least three instances where India and Indian culture were shown disrespect in the past by using Hindu Gods as toilet seat decorations, a magazine picture mocking Mahatma Gandhi by having him beaten up by a muscular man, and images of Lord Ganesha as slippers (sandals) decoration. “India Cause is planning to send letters to US distributors and manufacturers about how such products affect the feeling of Indians in general.”
HPI adds: Western people are often unaware of the significance of feet for many Asians (not only Hindus). Some years ago, the first president Bush presented the Chinese president with a pair of Texas cowboy boots upon which had been set the Chinese flag. Aides quietly explained to the president’s entourage that this was considered a most demeaning placement for the flag. Scenes in Bollywood movies of the villain being beaten or garlanded with shoes are completely lost on the average American. So in these protests, it is necessary to take a step back and explain the broader context. For example, one could say that touching something with the feet is, to a Hindu, about as insulting as spitting on it would be to an American.
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