Phillips Company published an advertisement of its ‘DVD Hi-fi System’ in the ‘Mumbai Maharashtra Times’ issue of 19th August 2006. There is a picture of Lord Ganapati in such a posture implying that He is using the above System to listen to music through His big ears and a line is written above the picture as ‘Om Lambakarnay Namah’. The picture of Sri Ganesh has unusually big ears and is not as per the science. It is also written below that ‘Play music that pleases huge ears of Ganapati’.
HJS has launched a protest campiagn against this mockery and demanded the public apology in written which should be published in same newspapers. We appeal all Hindus to participate in the protest and propagate this message to other Ganesh devotees. To see advertisement and protest: Click Here – Editor
|| Shree ||
Date: 24-08-2006
To,
The Marketing Manager
Phillips Ltd.
Sir,
Sub: Appeal for immediate withdrawal of your Advt. denigrating Lord Ganesh
With reference to the aforementioned subject, it is observed that your company has published an advertisement for your ‘DVD Hi-Fi System’ in a widely circulated daily named ‘Maharashtra Times’ dated 19-08-2006. This advertisement shows picture of Lord Ganesh in a weird manner with the words ‘OM Lambakarnaaya Namaha’. This advertisement puts forth the message that Lord Ganesh is listening to music through this ‘DVD Hi-Fi System’ with the help of His long ears. Also, an unscientific picture showing Lord Ganesh with abnormally long ears has been published. This advertisement also contains a denigrating sentence,’Play the music which will please the huge ears of Lord Ganesh’.
In this advertisement, Lord Ganesh, who is the seat of faith of millions of Hindus, has been denigrated both in form and matter. This is extremely derogatory and has hurt the religious sentiments of all Hindus.
Your company has published this derogatory advertisement on the eve of Shree Ganesh Chaturthi. Would you dare to do the same using deities of other religions like Muslim or Christianity?
We strongly condemn this act of yours and appeal to you to withdraw this advertisement at the earliest, in order to prevent us from taking further action, which may hamper your sales for the forthcoming festive season.
Yours faithfully,
Shri. Ramesh Shinde
Spokesperson
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (Maharashtra)
