Jewellery brand Tanishq received support from The Advertising Club after its was targetted and threatened for featuring an advertisement showing an interfaith baby shower. Ad bodies came up to add that the advertising does not violate any ethical standards and isn't derogatory to any individual, organisation or religion. "Such baseless and irrelevant attack on creative expression is extremely concerning," The Advertising Club said in a statement."
"The Advertising Club on behalf of the Indian Media and Advertising industry strongly condemns the threatening and targeting of Tanishq and its employees in regards to their latest advertisement on the new jewellery line," it added.
What's the advertisement?
Tanishq, a jewellery brand from the Tata Group put out an advertisement showing an interfaith couple celebrating a Hindu baby shower pivoting on the notion that love knows no religious boundaries. This ad was severely trolled on social media by right wing groups who said the ad was promoting 'love jihad.'
Even though some politicians played into the #BoycottTanishq narrative, a lot of citizens and influential individuals condemned the hate-filled posts pushing the boycott trend, calling it completely against India's secular fabric.
Here's the full statement below:
#TanishqAd @AAAIOfficial @IAA_India pic.twitter.com/8dI9cBEKYH
— The Advertising Club (@TheAdClub_India) October 14, 2020
The Indian chapter of the International Advertising Association also released a statement calling the reported threats to Tanishq employees "very unfortunate".
@IAA_India steps up for freedom of lawful commercial expression. Issues a statement on the issue of @TanishqJewelry advertisement 👍 @IAA_Global @ascionline @TheAdClub_India @AAAIOfficial pic.twitter.com/s1b7AfuA47
— Pradeep Dwivedi® (@PradeepDwivedi) October 14, 2020