Nearly a month after Indian jewellery brand Tanishq took down its advertisement showing an inter-faith marriage after endless backlash on social media, the brand has once again come under the scanner on social media.
Tanishq’s recent advertisement on Diwali features Neena Gupta, Alaya Furniturewala, Nimrat Kaur and Sayani Gupta who are seen talking about how they will be celebrating Diwali this time.
The ad is no longer available on the brand’s official social media platforms.
The commercial starts with Sayani Gupta saying, ‘I’m hoping to be able to meet my mum after really long. Definitely no firecrackers. I don’t think anyone should light any firecrackers. Lot of diyas. Lot of laughter hopefully and lot of positivity.’
The video then shows actress Alaya talking about how she hopes to eat sweets and food and celebrating the festival time with her family and close friends.
Later in the ad, Neena Gupta says that she is planning to ‘dress up well and wear nice jewellery.’
The advertisement then shows Nimrat Kaur who says, ‘This year it’s all the more important to be with family. I hope everyone out there is able to spend Diwali with their loved ones.’
Soon after the ad was released, it received massive backlash forcing the official Twitter account of the brand to take down their tweet and the video.
Who is #tanishq to advice Hindus as how to celebrate diwali. Keep your advice to yourself and apply the same for your cheap publicity campaign.I request you all to #boycotttanishq
— Gaurav Goel (@goelgauravbjp) November 9, 2020
The Indian jewellery brand was slammed by BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi who asked: ‘Why should anyone advice Hindus how to celebrate Our Festivals?’
Why should anyone advice Hindus how to celebrate Our Festivals?Companies must focus on selling their products, not lecture us to refrain from bursting Crackers.We will light lamps, distribute sweets and burst green crackers. Please join us. You will understand Ekatvam. https://t.co/EfmNNDXWFD
— C T Ravi ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) November 8, 2020
No Diyas, sweets, beautiful rangolis, Laxmi pooja, etc that actually depicts #Deepawali..What kind of ad is this @TanishqJewelryHindus will celebrate Deepawali with Diyas and pooja even if they don’t have gold jewellery to show off.#ThisDiwali_BoycottTanishq pic.twitter.com/5sSGD9UEIL
— Nilam (@NilamDupade) November 10, 2020
Dear TanishqFIRE your ad firmThis looks like a obituary ad, a funeral one not a diwali ad.WTF! https://t.co/m3VFYy2wG7
— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) November 8, 2020
We dont wear dull colors on Diwali ….we wear bright colors…and we speak in our mothertounge…. we have poojas all 4 days including cow, dhan ,laxmi ,lord Ram ,chopdi pooja …ok … and we dont call our mothers MUM ….fake angrej…. !!Tanishq…change ur team …dumbs
— Ash (@Ashwini66669900) November 8, 2020
Some social media users also came out in support of the advertisement.
What’s WRONG in giving a message of spending Diwali with your FAMILY! #tanishq https://t.co/1yHEmSp879
— kaustubh (@kaustubh_yahoo) November 8, 2020
There is something wrong with a section of people in India. All #tanishq care about is indian people and diversity. By telling not to burn firecrackers, its only aim is prevent air pollution but no people will bring everything to religion.
— Shravani Jena श्रावणी जेना ଶ୍ରାବଣୀ ଜେନା (@shravanijenaa) November 9, 2020
Sayani Gupta, who featured in the ad talked about not bursting firecrackers, tweeted, ‘Just witnessing how a universal issue of Air Pollution(at a terrible level right now especially in Delhi and NCR), getting politicised and bigotted in the name of religion!! Unbelievable!! What have they done to our country! This is what systemic hate does to people.#astounded’
Also Read: ‘Tanishq Ad Created A Movement, Many Are Buying Products To Take Stand’: Ad Maker