Malabar Gold Ad Sparks Row, Here Are Other Ads That Received Flak Online

Malabar Ad Boycott is the latest controversy that has been marred by communal angle. The hashtag 'Boycott Malabar Gold' began to trend on Twitter and the social media website was inundated with tweets criticising an advertisement from the jewellers.

What was the advertisement that riled the Twitter users? Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan appeared in an advertisement for the jewellery store, however, she was not wearing a bindi along with the jewellery. The Hindutva fundamentalists took offence to the campaign since the advertisement was in the purview of a forthcoming Hindu festival, Akshay Tritiya.

This is not the first instance where the extremists have criticised a campaign and spoken about boycotting a brand over something as minor as a bindi. Fabindia, a clothing brand, was previously criticised after one of its ad campaigns depicted women wearing Indian traditional attire without a bindi. A part of Indian social media accused the company of being unconcerned about the Hindu community.

Other Ads That Caused Outrage In Recent Past

Akshay Kumar Over Ad With Tobacco Company

People on social media mocked actor Akshay Kumar recently after he starred in a commercial for Vimal Elaichi. Following that, Akshay Kumar apologised to his fans and well-wishers. Many people speculated that the actor was promoting a tobacco product in the commercial. For the most part, Twitter users assumed that Akshay Kumar, who is well-known for his fitness, was supporting something owned by a chewing tobacco making company.

Suggested Reading: I Will Be Mindful: Why Did Akshay Kumar Wait For Outrage To Step Back From An Ad

Dabur Indian Karwa Chauth Ad Row

In 2021, Dabur India received backlash for its Fem bleach commercial. This advertisement was made for the Karva Chauth festival. The ad depicted a same-sex pair in love, which offended some Indian viewers. Dabur removed its advertisement and released a statement after suffering outrage and receiving a warning from Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra that legal action would be taken against the company.

Manyavar Mohey Ad Featuring Alia Bhatt

Manyavar Mohey's latest ad with Alia Bhatt received flak owing to its theme in the same year. The commercial attempted to highlight sexism in the Kanyadaan rite and to promote the message that daughters are more than simply a burden to marry off. They introduced Kanyadaan – tradition wahi, soch nayi, as a concept. Although the concept promoted equality, it was interpreted by many as an attack on the Hindu wedding ritual. The hashtag 'boycott manyavar' was then trending on social media.

Alia Bhatt in Manyavar advertisement (YouTube screenshot)

Tanishq Baby Shower Ad

Tanishq is another Indian jewellery brand whose interfaith marriage advertisement sparked outrage across the country last year, and it received so much backlash on the internet that it had to be taken down. The brand was accused of fostering love jihad and was criticized for depicting a Muslim household hosting a baby shower for their daughter-in-law born into a Hindu family. However, the ">advertisement is still available on social media.