Sikh group protests Gap ad featuring Sikh man with sexy woman

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A group of Sikhs are planning to protest an ad showing a bearded Sikh man in a turban with an attractive young woman later on today at the Gap in Davis, Calif.

Organizers of the protest find the ad controversial because it has “a woman’s hand lustfully placed on [a man’s] turban and chest.”

But the ad has plenty of supporters.

Karm Bains likes the ad because it detracts from stereotypes and prejudices that are often associated with the Sikh community. “I don’t find it offensive. I think they did a great job,” Bains told CBS Sacramento. “To be accepted as who we are I think speaks volumes,” he said.

He thinks the protests that are planned for Thursday are not necessary at all. “I’m fourth-generation here,” he said. “I knew what my forefathers had to do for us to be accepted. So when I drive around town or into San Francisco, off the Bay Bridge, and that’s the first billboard I see, I think that’s awesome.”

A Facebook page called “Like if you agree that GAP ad is not disrespecting Sikhism” has more than 8,000 likes. According to the page:

“We started this page is to admire Gap for featuring Waris Ahluwalia, a Sikh designer in their Ad and to oppose any protest against the Ad. Mr. Waris Ahluwalia and Gap gave us a great start and showed an effective way to reach and tell general public that who Sikhs are.We hope efforts like this, will eventually end hate crimes against Sikhs.”

[CBS Sacramento] [Facebook]