Hindu community, supporters protest company's use of deity in logo alongside profanity
CBC
WARNING: This story contains offensive language.
Dozens of people gathered at the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday afternoon to protest what they describe as the offensive use of a Hindu deity in a B.C. company's logo.
The protesters accuse the company, Big D--k Energy Coaching, of using inappropriate language underneath a photo of Lord Ganesha — a deity with an elephant head, known as the Hindu god of wealth, sciences, knowledge, wisdom and prosperity.
The protest was organized by the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society. Demonstrators, carrying signs, marched from the Laxmi Narayan Temple to the corner of King George Boulevard and 88 Avenue.
"You cannot use another community's faith, and use it just to promote your business," said Tarana M. Kaur, one of the organizers.
The society's president, Satish Kumar, said the community is asking the company's owner to remove the image of Ganesha from the logo.
Kaur said several members of the South Asian community have reached out the owner, who has refused to remove the image of the deity.
Kaur also said they have started an online petition to remove the image from the logo, which has gathered more than 2,500 signatures so far.
Surrey Members of Parliament Randeep Sarai and Sukh Dhaliwal have shown support for the removal of the image from the logo, according to Kaur, but they're hoping more politicians will publicly condemn the use of the deity's image.
"We need someone to take action, we cannot bear this kind of disrespect," she said.
Hindu community members have contacted the RCMP, but Kaur said police told them they couldn't do anything about the matter.
The company's website says it provides "coaching for relationship and passion management, ultimate business pro mentorship and master coaching and mentorship."
CBC News phoned and emailed the business owner to request an interview.
No interview was granted, but a text message was sent from the number listed on the company's website. The message said the owner has not made any remarks nor done anything to condone any form of hate speech or derogatory misuse of Ganesha.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.