It wasn’t doctored, it was a real product.

However, at some point you have a give the bloggers/ writers/ painters/ actors/ artists a free-rein, otherwise we will never make any progress (or brownian motion) in human thought.

This is a very valid point, and I agree fully. Do Hindus really want cartoon-protest rallies on the scale of the recent ones that took place around the Muhammad cartoons? Isn’t there a tradition within the Dharmic framework of laughing at, or making fun of, our divine images? There are (to me) disturbing signs that Hindus may be becoming more petulant and easily offended. This probably stems from a number of concerns – some valid, others paranoid – and I hope this trend does not intensify in the future.

On the other hand, I do understand the hurt some people feel. I cringed when I saw the Hanuman ad, not because I founded it offensive, but rather because I know many good people who believe in that way–who attach significance to water or sweets blessed with the numinousness of a temple or a holy grove. But then it was all in jest, so that thought quickly passed…

We can understand your (and others) anguish and irritation. Also, we all appreciate your level-headedness on this issue.

However, at some point you have a give the bloggers/ writers/ painters/ actors/ artists a free-rein, otherwise we will never make any progress (or brownian motion) in human thought. Definitely, this one is not at par with Galileo’s ideas but still it the concept of free expression that has to be upheld. We should not ask them or anyone of any promises.

Let us please do not see too much into it.

Yes the “Hippie” takeover of SM was clever, and I chuckled to myself through the entire page (I’ve seen the “our domain has been hacked” wink-wink before and when done properly it is amusing) right until I scrolled down to the bottom, right image of the thong with a Shivling on it. Then I paused. I thought for a while, and felt that I should let those in charge of this site know that: dudes, now that’s just not cool. The Shivling is revered. Its perhaps one of the oldest and most sacred symbols of Hinduism, predating many of the other Deities.

Now I doubt I’m on the fringe of this issue. I didn’t find Hanuman energy bars offensive, the Kama Sutra reference was all good, but as another SM poster said over a year ago:

It’s very simple – if you’re dealing with symbols which are part of someone’s religion, you have to respect that and not put them on toilet seats or whatever.

(link)

I am glad you are apologizing and can relate, however the best and perhaps only way to demonstrate this is to remove the image and refrain from posting such things in the future.

From #75 above, you wrote the text for the thong. Who doctored the picture?

I’m sorry you were offended. In case you missed the theme, the prank featured the very same types of products that we’ve complained about in the past. The thong was a reference to the very real thongs that have been sold before and that we’ve reported on (1, 2). Other relevant examples include the Beer Label with Ganesh on it and the statue of Ganesh with phalluses around his neck.

Again, we here at SepiaMutiny disapprove of all of the items in the mock ad. As we say above:

from the bottom of our hearts we apologize for the blasphemy.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the idea of April Fool’s day, it’s about inversion, about opposites, about turning the world upside down. In this case, our site was replaced by all the things that were anti-Sepia mutiny. And yes, even people who find these products offensive thought that our mockery of them was amusing. I’m sorry that you didn’t.

ah i see. i was trying to figure out and i was like….there’s no lyric in there!

The April Folly was quite disappointing.