An international Hindu organization is urging that Nanaimo-based company Om Boys pull a jacket it deems offensive.

In a press release, Rajan Zed, Universal Society of Hinduism president, said a red plaid jacket, with the likeness of deity Ganesh holding a wrench and engine parts, is sa国际传媒渉ighly inappropriate.sa国际传媒� Zed said Lord Ganesh is revered in Hinduism and is meant to be worshipped at temples and shrines.

sa国际传媒淚nappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda [is] not OK as it hurt the devotees,sa国际传媒� Zed said in the news release.

Zed also asked Om Boys and its CEO issue an apology.

Jesse Jeans, Om Boys spokesman, said it isnsa国际传媒檛 the companysa国际传媒檚 intention to offend anyone.

sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 not what the brandsa国际传媒檚 about at all,sa国际传媒� said Jeans. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 in my write-up on the sa国际传媒榓boutsa国际传媒� section [of www.omboys.ca]. Theysa国际传媒檒l see that itsa国际传媒檚 totally not to offend anybody.sa国际传媒�

According to Om Boyssa国际传媒� website, its mission is to raise awareness about Crohnsa国际传媒檚, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. The intention of Om Boys is to support a movement called Project Om, with proceeds going back to the community through random acts of kindness.

sa国际传媒淭he designs are not created to make fun of, or offend anyone. They are artistic creations of my world. Motorcycles, surf, skate, yoga, meditation, spirituality and the love for Vancouver Island. Everything we do is printed locally and designed by local artists,sa国际传媒� Jeans said in a subsequent e-mail. sa国际传媒淥ur customer base so far has come from all walks of life. Our next design might even have sa国际传媒榓llsa国际传媒� the different religions riding motorbikes together, having fun, getting along and call it, sa国际传媒極ne Love.sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒�

Zed was contacted and indicated he would be providing further comment.

The Nanaimo Hindu Cultural Society was contacted, but didnsa国际传媒檛 immediately respond to a request for comment.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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