• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Kanye West, also known as Ye, has once again ignited controversy by reportedly selling T-shirts featuring a swastika-like symbol on his Yeezy website. The design has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning whether it represents Adolf Hitler’s Nazi insignia or the sacred Hindu swastika, which has been a religious and cultural symbol for centuries. Amid the backlash, his website has gone offline, leaving people debating the true intent behind the symbol. Here’s what we know.

West even aired an advertisement for his Yeezy website during the Super Bowl, though it was not a national ad and was only seen in select markets, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The ad, which many believe was an effort to promote the controversial T-shirt, only fueled further outrage. Shortly after, the Yeezy website went offline, possibly due to the overwhelming backlash and condemnation from civil rights organisations.

Condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly criticised West for what they described as "vile antisemitism." In a statementL, the ADL emphasised the historical significance of the swastika, stating, "The swastika is the symbol adopted by Hitler as the primary emblem of the Nazis. It galvanized his followers in the 20th century and continues to threaten and instil fear in those targeted by antisemitism and white supremacy. There’s no excuse for this kind of behaviour."

ALSO READ: Canada And EU React To US' Newly Imposed US Tariffs, Vow Strong Response

Unapologetic Stance and Past Controversies

Before the website shut down, West took to social media to describe the swastika T-shirt as "my greatest performance art piece thus far." His post came after a 12-hour social media rant on Thursday night, during which he made racist, homophobic, and antisemitic remarks. Among his controversial statements, he called for President Donald Trump to release rapper Diddy from prison, expressed support for Hitler, and declared he would never “trust or work with Jewish people” again. He defiantly stated, "I will not apologize."

West's antisemitic views have led to severe financial and professional repercussions. In 2022, he lost his lucrative Yeezy deal with Adidas and multiple other partnerships following his antisemitic comments on X and Instagram. Despite the fallout, West has continued to make inflammatory statements, with his recent posts including, “I LOVE HITLER NOW WHAT B*****ES,” “I’M A NAZI,” and “Hitler was sooooo fresh.” He even declared, “I’m going to normalize talking about Hitler the way talking about killing n****s has been normalized.”

Hence, it clearly shows that Kanye West's shirt features a Nazi symbol, not the sacred Hindu swastika. Additionally, 

The swastika has been a sacred symbol in South Asian religions for centuries, featuring an equilateral cross with bent arms. In contrast, Hitler's Nazi party used the Hakenkreuz, a rotated version of the swastika with a 45-degree slant and no dots, distinguishing it from the traditional Hindu symbol.

ALSO READ: Meet YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia Who Is Making Waves For His Controversial Remarks; Check Net Worth, Monthly Income And More

Also In News