(GNB Desk): Rihanna is dealing with accusations of cultural appropriation and spiritual insensitivity after posing topless wearing a pendant that apparently depicted the Hindu God Ganesha.
The shoot was for her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty. Along with the necklace, she was seen also wearing a pair of purple stain shorts.
“when @PopcaanMusic said “me nuh wan ya wear no lingerie tonight fa me girl” @SavageXFenty,” read Rihanna’s tweet.
Besides the controversial pendant, she wore other accessories such as diamond bracelets, neck pieces and statement earrings.
Rihanna’s tweet soon went viral on social media.
In the photo, Rihanna accessorised her unisex underwear – which is part of the Savage X Fenty’s Valentine capsule collection – with statement bracelets, drop earrings and a large, diamond-studded chain pendant which Twitter users claim depicts Ganesh.
Ganesh (also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka) is a Hindu God who is believed to be the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles, presenting fortune and success.
Rihanna posted the pictures on Tuesday. While many called her stance commendable, others found it infuriating, and believed to “hurt religious sentiments”.
While several social media praised the singer for her ensemble, some Twitter users voiced their frustration over the singer wearing a necklace that they believe depicts the religious figure.
One person wrote, “Rihanna !! stop using my religion as an aesthetic !! that Ganesh figurine at the end of the chain 🙁 is a holy and sacred figure for us Hindus,” a Twitter user wrote in the comments (sic).”
Another Twitter user wrote, “Super offensive wearing Ganesha like that. My first god, a holy sentiment to millions of people celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi every year. Sorry RiRi, you disappointed me and others (sic).”
Earlier this month, Rihanna made headlines by drawing massive international attention towards the farmers’ protests in India. She retweeted an article regarding the internet suspension around the farmers’ protests sites.
“Why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest (sic),” she wrote.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
