(Kali Maa on a box of sweets? This is indeed certainly insensitive to the Hindus around the world but in the western world, where there is freedom of expression and speech, being insensitive is not that too surprising)
Read these first:-
- Religion 101: Everyone’s Protective, Brave Guardian Warriors
- Religion 101: Upholding Dharma As Way of Positive Life
- Religion 101: Oh No, Darwin Been Banned in Malaysia
- Health 101: Understanding Ancient Ayurvedic’s 3 Main Doshas
From the website:-
Kali is a Hindu goddess that represents death, destruction, time and change.
And what food comes to mind when you think of death, destruction, time and change? Curry!
These exotic spice mints are great on their own or as an accompaniment to basmati rice and garlic naan. Each 2-1/4″ round tin contains one hundred mints.
Will we be seeing the same kind of protest that the Muslims took on the Danish Cartoons controversies? Or we are going to be more tolerant and call for a boycott of the products & create awareness?
When one thought the Hindus are more tolerant about this considering that Hindu deities has been portrayed in the wrong ways before (remember the Thuggee cult in the movie, Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom?), we have this:-
On June 1, Hindus asked for immediate withdrawal of Kali Mints sold by Mukilteo-based firm Accoutrements.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, said that inappropriate use of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other use is not acceptable because it hurts Hindu devotees.
The description of Kali Mints on the Accoutrements website is as follows:
Zed said that Goddess Kali is respected in Hinduism and “she was meant to be worshipped in temples and not to be used in selling mints.”
(Source)
Whilst one would agree on this, I think we need to look at things that are beyond forms and look at the substance.
Regardless of the religion, one must never play on sentiments.