In a statement on Twitter, Dabur stated that they have withdrawn the campaign from all social media handles and apologised for 'unintentionally' hurting people’s sentiments
Photo for representational purpose. Pic/ istock
A day after the Madhya Pradesh government decided to take legal action against Dabur over an advertisement showing a same-sex couple celebrating ‘Karva Chauth’, the company has decided to withdraw the ad.
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The ad pertains to Fem cream bleach, a product of Dabur India Limited, showing a same-sex couple celebrating Karva Chauth and watching each other through a sieve.
In a statement on Twitter, Dabur stated that they have withdrawn the campaign from all social media handles and apologised for “unintentionally” hurting people’s sentiments.
Fem's Karwachauth campaign has been withdrawn from all social media handles and we unconditionally apologise for unintentionally hurting people’s sentiments. pic.twitter.com/hDEfbvkm45
— Dabur India Ltd (@DaburIndia) October 25, 2021
Twitterati had contrasting views over the advertisement.
Actress Pooja Bhatt stood by the campaign and said that it's a "pity that a giant like Dabur refused to stand by their ad."
बस यही करते रहो.. slam,bam,ban! So much for being the ‘Mother’ of democracy! Pity a giant like #Dabur refused to stand behind their AD. While I don’t endorse a fairness cream in principal I reserved my comment as they attempted to celebrate Inclusivity & #PRIDE So why hide now? https://t.co/avzq1XafgW
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) October 26, 2021
Shivani Chopra, Vice President of Indian National Congress, Delhi, posted " If rich/ powerful giants like Dabur India succumb to political bullying, a common man’s fate to defeat is inevitable."
If rich/ powerful giants like @DaburIndia succumb to political bullying, a common man’s fate to defeat is inevitable #Dabur pic.twitter.com/muukTOsOsF
— Shivani Chopra (@ShivaniChopra_) October 26, 2021
Others also came in support of the ad campaign.
If your progressiveness is limited to what the hooligans of the day allow you to say, you are not very progressive at all.#DaburAd #Dabur @TanishqJewelry #FabIndia @AltNewsHindi pic.twitter.com/HzRwkVRrmr
— Andha Observer (@AndhaObserver) October 26, 2021
Some Twitter users, however, were offended by the ad and posted against it.
What's the use of withdrawing after warning....
— India My Religion-Stay Safe (@aloksom) October 26, 2021
I guess we can live happily even without using Dabur products..#MyTake
Another case of successful Hindu push-back and victory against anti-Hindu crusaders in cultural Christians dominated ad market. Narottam Mishra from MP raised objections and then Dabur felt that it had crossed a line. The ad is withdrawn.#BoycottDabur pic.twitter.com/noBFQd1as6
— Pankaj Saxena (@PankajSaxena84) October 26, 2021
On Monday, MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that he has directed the state police chief to convey to Dabur India to withdraw an "objectionable" beauty product advertisement showing two women celebrating the Karva Chauth festival and take legal steps if the ad is not taken back by the consumer goods maker.
“I consider this a serious matter. More so because such advertisements and clippings are made on the rituals of Hindu festivals only. They (the advertisement) showed lesbians celebrating Karva Chauth and seeing each other through a sieve. In future, they will show two men taking 'feras' (marrying each other according to Hindu rituals). This is objectionable,” Mishra told reporters.
The state home minister said he has directed the DGP (Director General of Police) to ask the company to withdraw this advertisement. "And if it fails to do so, take legal steps after examining the advertisement," he added.
(With PTI inputs)