Hindu Statesman Has a Cow Over Kim Kardashian Earrings
By Gary Trock on May 25, 2021 at 8:06 PM EDT
Shutterstock | 238630
A recent photoshoot by Kim Kardashian has followers of the Hindu religion upset after the reality star donned a sacred symbol in what they believe was a "highly inappropriate" gesture.
The fiery statements were made Tuesday afternoon by Hindu statesman Rajan Zed of Nevada, who called out Kim for wearing blinged-out earrings in the shape of the "Om" symbol, which is considered sacred in Hinduism.
"[Om] was not meant to be used as a fashion statement or become a tool for sexy fashion. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu icons or deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees," Zed said.
Kim Kardashian / Twitter / Sita Abellan
The photos in question were posted to Kim Kardashian's social media account on May 23 for a KKW Beauty promotion. The "Om" earrings can be seen dangling from Kim's ears in a few of the stylized shots.
According to Rajan Zed:
"Om was the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism was used to introduce and conclude religious work."
He added that, "celebrities should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of immensely revered “Om” to be displayed in such a manner."
Along with an apology for the photos, Rajan Zed is demanding that Kim Kardashian remove the photos from all her social media accounts. As of this posting, the 3 photos showing the star in "Om" earrings remain active on her accounts.
He also wants the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star to undergo "training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that she had a better understanding of the feelings of communities."
Rihanna / Instagram
Rajan Zed wants to make clear that the "trivialization of Hindu symbols" has been "disturbing to the Hindus world over."
Kim Kardashian is not the first celebrity to upset the Hindu community, and Rajan Zed, over donning "inappropriate" symbolism in photoshoots. Earlier this year he called out Rihanna for posing in topless shots while wearing a pendant featuring the Hindu God, Ganesha.
"Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used as a fashion statement to push a sexy lingerie line or become a tool for sexy fashion," Zed said at the time.
