Washington, Nov. 20: The latest issue of the popular American news magazine Newsweek has on its cover page the US President, Mr Barack Obama, in the pose of Lord Nataraja.
In its November 22, 2010 issue, Mr Obama has been shown by Newsweek on its cover page with multiple arms balancing several policy issues while raising his left leg mimicking the cosmic dance of the Hindu deity; considered a manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Hindu leaders in the US maintained that they did not believe editors at Newsweek sought to offend Hindus but they did articulate concerns over the trend of caricaturing Hindu deities. Newsweek has named Mr Obama “god of all things” on its cover.
“Hinduism’s sacred images are too often appropriated in popular culture without understanding their spiritual relevance to Hindus,” said Mr Suhag Shukla, the managing director and legal counsel of Washington-based Hindu American Foundation (HAF).
“We hope that the media will respect sacred imagery and apply the same consideration given to Abrahamic faiths, for example” added Mr Jay Kansara, HAF’s associate director with the press.