Depiction of Goddess images on swimwear inappropriate: India

In the recently concluded Rosemount Australian fashion week in Sydney, a designer Lisa Burke, had displayed certain swimwear costumes carrying Indian religious images "inappropriately", the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement here today.

The Ministry has conveyed its "deep concern" to the Australian High Commission, asking that all concerned be apprised of the Indian religious sensitivities in the matter, it said.
The issue was similarly, taken up by our Consulate General in Sydney with the fashion designer, the MEA said.

"The designer has promptly apologized 'to the Hindu community' and assured that the range has been withdrawn and will never be available for sale in any stockists or retail outlet anywhere in the world and has stopped production of the swimwear in question," the statement said.

"We would like to offer an apology to anyone we may have offended and advise that the image of Goddess Lakshmi will not appear on any piece of Lisa Blue swimwear for the new season, with a halt put on all production of the new range and pieces shown on the runway removed," said a statement issued by the Lisa Blue Swimwear in Australia on Monday.

The swimwear company carried an image of Goddess Lakshmi on a bikini bottom and front of a model who walked the ramp at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney last week.

"We apologize to the Hindu community and take this matter very seriously," the statement said.

The apology came after Indian community strongly protested the depiction of the images on swimwear, saying it has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.