Universal Society of Hinduism urges Pharrell Williams, Adidas to rename Holi shoes and apologize
A group of people who follow Hinduism have vented their fury towards Adidas Originals new Holi inspired collection launched in collaboration with Pharrell Williams.
Hindus urge Pharrell Williams, Adidas to rename Holi shoes and apologize
The protest is being spearheaded by Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism who demands an apology from Adidas and Pharrell Williams and wants them to rename the Holi shoes.
The new collection titled 'Hu Holi' was launched last week and ranges between $95 and $250 on Adidas website; five of which are “coming soon”, six are “new” and one is “sold out”.
Holi known as the 'festival of colours' is celebrated by Hindus in India.
Zed further said: "Pharrell Williams and Adidas should have done some home work before taking Hinduism concepts frivolously and using these to make a fashion statement and sell shoes for mercantile greed, some of which contain leather.
"Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled. Inappropriate usage of Hinduism concepts or symbols or imagery for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it might be painful to many devotees. 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 many followers."