Well-known German fashion brand “Front Row Society” headquartered in Berlin withdrew leggings carrying image of Lord Shiva and apologized after upset Hindus protested.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked “Front Row Society” for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which thought images of Lord Shiva on leggings was highly inappropriate.

Dr. Florian Ellsaesser, Managing Director of “Front Row Society”, telephoned Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, on October 15 late evening informing him that leggings carrying image of Lord Shiva had been removed. We apologize for any unintentional harm this product had caused to anyone, Ellsaesser added.

Rajan Zed had earlier said that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be worn around one’s legs, crotch and hips. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed had argued.

Rajan Zed had also pointed out that such trivialization of Lord Shiva was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.

“Front Row Society”; whose products sell at Nordstrom, Galeries Lafayette, etc.; claims to offer “high quality accessories with unique and original designs”. Print design of now removed “Shiva the Great Leggings” ($39.95) was by Akwaflorell.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.