Zara Apologizes and Renames Cow Leather Yoga Mat Following Hindu Protest
BOSTON–Global fashion retailer Zara has apologized and renamed a cow leather yoga mat following a protest by Hindus who described the product as highly inappropriate and insensitive to their religious beliefs.
In an email to Hindu priest Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, Inditex Communication and Corporate Affairs wrote: “We apologize for the misunderstanding. This was certainly not our intention. At Zara and Inditex, we are committed to treating all people, beliefs and cultures with respect.”
The product, previously listed as a “FOLDABLE LEATHER YOGA MAT” and priced at $399, has since been renamed “FOLDABLE LEATHER GYM MAT.”
Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, thanked Zara and its Spanish parent company, Inditex, for acknowledging the concerns of the Hindu community. He said companies should provide senior executives with training in religious and cultural sensitivity to help them understand the beliefs and sentiments of customers and communities when developing products and launching advertising campaigns.
Zed had argued that describing a cow leather product as a yoga mat was deeply offensive to Hindus because it combined two important concepts of Hinduism: the sacred cow and yoga. He said the idea of practising yoga on a mat made from the skin of a slaughtered cow was particularly painful to Hindu sentiments, as cows have long been revered in Hinduism and are associated with several deities.
He also urged Inditex, its chief executive Óscar García Maceiras and board chair Marta Ortega Pérez to ensure that the company’s business practices reflected its stated commitment to creating positive change in society and respecting cultures.
“Profit should never come at the cost of religious dignity,” Zed said, adding that global corporations should recognize the importance of respecting the sacred beliefs of millions of people. “Faith is not a fashion accessory,” he stated.
Zed also emphasized that Hinduism, with approximately 1.3 billion adherents worldwide, has a rich philosophical tradition and should not be treated frivolously. He said the practices, concepts and traditions of all religions, regardless of their size, deserved respect.
Yoga, which has its roots in ancient Hindu traditions and is referenced in the Rig-Veda and other early Hindu texts, is regarded in Hindu philosophy as a spiritual discipline involving the transformation of consciousness, purification of the self and the pursuit of liberation. It is also understood as a means of attaining union with the divine.
Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Arteixo, Galicia, Spain, Inditex is one of the world’s largest fashion retail groups. The company operates internationally through thousands of stores and online platforms. Its portfolio includes Zara, one of the most recognized fashion brands globally. Inditex describes its business model as placing the customer at its heart.
