Rihanna comes under fire after wearing Ganesha pendant in topless photo: ‘Stop sexualizing people’s religion for clout’

Rihanna has been called out by fans after she posting a topless photo in which she can be seen wearing a pendant depicting the Hindu god Ganesha.

The 32-year-old star posted the snap on social media on Monday to promote her underwear range Savage X Fenty.

In the snap, she used one arm to cover her bare chest while wearing light purple boxers and several items of jewelry – including a diamond necklace featuring Lord Ganesha.

Ganesha traditionally represents success and wisdom, and the highly revered deity is often called upon by Hindus embarking on new ventures.

The diety is meant to be worshipped in temples or at home shrines. Some Hindus do wear a Lord Ganesha pendant as a symbol of their faith.

Social media users soon spoke out against the businessman’s decision to wear the pendant in a semi-nude image as one wrote: ‘You’re wearing a deity necklace and a Murthi (image of a deity) of my culture that’s already been culturally appropriated enough in the past few years.’

Another tweeted: ‘How is this okay when a person has more than enough resources to at least find out the meaning and significance of the chains and pendant around their neck?’

‘Can we stop sexualizing people’s religion for clout,’ one fan wrote. ‘I just don’t understand the purpose of having a necklace with lord Ganesh as part of a lingerie campaign.’

Another added: ‘Rihanna, wearing an Indian deity is not a fashion, it’s not a trend.’

‘Why is she wearing a Hindu idol on a semi-nude pic?’ another asked.

One fan stated, ‘Our culture is not your costume’, while another added: ”Stop using my religion as an aesthetic’

It appears this isn’t the first time the singer has worn the necklace, as she was seen posing with it around her neck on Instagram in 2019.

The backlash comes after Rihanna apologized for religious appropriation after a song featuring a hadith was featured in her SavageXFenty runway show.

Metro.co.uk has reached out to Rihanna’s rep for comment.

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