Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturdashi, Kaliyug Varsha 5112
Converse Shoe Company apologises and commit to withdraw defamatory shoes
1) E-mail sent by a devout Hindu after apology by Converse Inc.
From: Dharmesh Vyas
Date: Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 3:47 PM
Subject: RE: Protest: Dharmesh Vyas
To: weborderinfo <[email protected]>
Dear Jessica,
Kindly advise.
1. Even person with less IQ will not prefer to have God on his footwear. Their is huge difference printing God on music album cover and footwear. This mistake is done with bad intention from your concern staff. Please take necessary actions against concerns.
2. What about product which you have already sold in market. If some one comes in front of us with our God on his footwear. How can we save our God from this big insult.
3. Please confirm destruction of unsold items.
I am sorry for following hard, but being Hindus I always respect Jesus and Church. In fact I have visited many church with equal respect to Jesus. Such act is really big blunder for such big brand like Converse.
Best Regards,
Dharmesh Vyas
Mumbai, India
2) Protest E-mail sent by Mr. Rawal
From: jayendra rawal
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 3:09 AM
To: weborderinfo; Estore
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Protest: Hindu Deities drawn on the shoes by Converse Shoes
To,
Converse Shoe Company
Converse Shoe Company has denigrated Hindu Deities by printing Hindu Gods and Hindu Goddess on the shoes. This is nothing but the grave insult of our beloved Hindu Deities. They should not be used in such defamatory way. It is duty of all we Hindus worldwide to protest lawfully against the Converse Shoes Company, so that they should remove such defamatory shoes from the market, they should not repeat such mistake in future and they should also apologise to all Hindus for hurting their religious sentiments.
Regards,
Mr.Jayendrasingh Tejendrasingh Rawal
Dist:Dhule(Maharashtra,INDIA)
Reply from Converse Shoes
From: weborderinfo <[email protected]>
To: jayendra rawal
Subject: RE: Protest: Hindu Deities drawn on the shoes by Converse Shoes
Dear Mr.Jayendrasingh Tejendrasingh Rawal,
“Converse designed the Converse Chuck Taylor Jimi Hendrix/Axis shoe to demonstrate our support of music culture and to celebrate the contributions of the global music icon, Jimi Hendrix. With approval of the Hendrix estate, we applied artwork taken directly from the 1967 “Axis: Bold as Love” album cover. The cover art included images of Hindu deities.
Our ambitions were to honor the music of Jimi Hendrix. It was not our intent to offend Hindu culture by having Hindu deities on footwear.
We apologize for the unintentional offense and have decided to immediately discontinue the sales of the Jimi Hendrix/Axis shoe on Converse.com”
Thank you,
Jessica
Converse.com
Customer Service
Defamatory shows by Converse Shoe Company
Hindu Goddess on the shoe |
Hindu Gods on the shoe |
Appeal to devout Hindus
Converse Shoe Company has denigrated Hindu Deities by printing Hindu Gods and Hindu Goddess on the shoes. This is nothing but the grave insult of our beloved Hindu Deities. They should not be used in such defamatory way. It is duty of all Hindus worldwide to protest lawfully against the Converse Shoes Company, so that they should remove such defamatory shoes from the market, they should not repeat such mistake in future and they should also apologise to all Hindus for hurting their religious sentiments.
Devout Hindus are protesting lawfully against Converse Shoes on following Contact details:Converse Shoes Phone: +1 888 792-3307 Address: Converse Shoes in India Corporate Address: Phone: +91-80-42924000 OR +91-80-42924009 E-mail: [email protected] |
Details of Denigration
This denigration is reported to us by a devout Hindu through e-mail. The photos can also be seen on the following link:
www.hindu-blog.com
Protest letters sent by devout Hindus to Converse Shoes
1) Protest E-mail sent by S JayakumarFrom: Jayakumar S. Ammangudi
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Sent: Fri, September 17, 2010 12:53:50 PM
Subject: Manufacture of Shoes with Hindu deities
TO:
Converse Inc.
Attn : Marketing Dept.
One High Street
North Andover, MA 01845-2601
Recently, I had become aware that Converse is selling sports shoes with colorful images of Hindu deities on the outside.
Hindu dieties are forms and most sacred representations of holistic ideals through which God is worshipped by all Hindus. In short Hindus look upon dieties as God Himself or Herself.
Thus, this latest episode of selling shoes with Hindu Religious images is viewed as a blatant denigration of Hinduism and is extremely hurtful to sentiments of Hindus all over the world.
It is puzzling to Hindus how reputed companies like Converse can appropriate images from Hinduism and other minority religions for profit. Will Converse print pictures of the Cross or Jesus Christ or Virgin Mary on their shoes? Will Converse print pictures of The Mohammed on their shoes and sports paraphernalia?
I am quite certain that it is not the intent of Converse to hurt sentiments of the citizens of this world, least of all victimize the adherents of a specific religion. I am sure this was an oversight and perhaps a case of an overenthusiastic marketing department.
Therefore, on behalf of the Billion-plus Hindus of this world, I request you to:
(1) Immediately stop the sale of these shoes all over the world.
(2) Destroy the manufactured shoes
(3) Stop future production of shoes of this nature.
(4) Include in your cultural sensitivity program the importance of respecting sentiments of other cultures and religions, regardless of how much of a minority they might be in this world.
(5) Issue and Publish a statement of apology.
I am confident that Converse management will address this matter with utmost urgency. I look forward to further word from you.
Regards,
S. Jayakumar
Houston, TX
2) Protest letter sent by Amit Kakri
Hello,
it has been reported that your Company is denigrating Hindu deities by selling shoes with pictures of Hindu Gods and Godesses.
If this is true, this represents the worst insult to our great and ancient hindu culture and way of life. As a devote hindu; I protest! Please stop this sale immediately.
regards,
Amit Kakri
Mumbai, India
Reply sent by 20 North Customer Support
From: 20North Customer Support <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Converse Shoes
To: “Amit Kakri”
Date: Tuesday, 21 September, 2010, 4:12 PM
Hi, Amit,
Thank you for writing in to 20North.
We apologize for any offense that any product advertised on our website may have caused you. We have blocked this item from being advertised or purchased on our online store.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to call on 080-42924000 (Mon -Fri ) (9:30 am- 6:30 pm) or mail us back.
Best,
Charmaine
Member Services
www.20North.com
Successful Protest campaigns by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti
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2. Denigration of Hindu Deities by ‘Cycle Brand’ Incense sticks stopped after protest by devout Hindus !
3. HJS stopped defamation of Lord Krushna by Tata Sky
4. HJS stopped Defamation of Shri Krushna and Nude Radha
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