THE Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram has express concern and strongly condemns the recent nationwide distribution of the new pizza box design by US Pizza Malaysia.
Its president, Rishikumar Vadivelu said the packaging prominently features the image of Lord Murugan, a highly revered and sacred Hindu deity, placed alongside secular cartoon illustrations of iconic Malaysian landmarks, local animals, and various characters consuming pizza.
"While we acknowledge and appreciate US Pizza’s apparent intention to promote inclusivity and celebrate the rich, diverse cultural landscape of Malaysia through its packaging, the execution of this design is deeply flawed, misplaced, and profoundly offensive to the Hindu community.
"The attempt to include Hindu/Indian culture in commercial, disposable packaging, specifically by featuring a major deity, has resulted in an act of sacrilege rather than celebration," he said in a statement.
Packaging contains non-vegetarian food
He said the association of a holy deity with commercial food packaging, particularly packaging that contains non-vegetarian food and potentially includes beef a substance considered strictly prohibited and sacredly offensive to many Hindus represents a direct and severe violation of religious reverence and sanctity.
The mixing of sacred religious imagery with secular, commercial depictions of characters consuming food (often non-vegetarian) devalues the deity and trivializes deeply held religious beliefs, he said.
Rishikumar said a critical element of our concern relates to disposal.
"We sincerely question whether US Pizza was aware of the fundamental consequence of this packaging: these boxes are destined for the garbage immediately after use.
"The inclusion of a sacred image on single-use, disposable material that will inevitably be discarded as ordinary trash displays a complete and unacceptable disregard for the holiness of the deity.
"It demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the religious practices and sensitivities of millions of Hindus in Malaysia," he said.
He called for the the immediate withdrawal, halt of production, and nationwide cessation of the distribution and use of the offensive pizza box design.
"We also call for a clear, unconditional, and public apology to the entire Hindu community in Malaysia for this immense oversight.
"We urge US Pizza Malaysia to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness it deserves and to take swift remedial action to restore trust within the affected community," he added. - November 9, 20255
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