Top Indian brands baulk after threats by Hindu hardliners

[Major]

NEW DELHI: India’s biggest festive season is in full swing but top brands are under pressure from right-wing hardliners accusing them of hurting Hindu sentiments.

Critics say an atmosphere of growing religious intolerance and fear since Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 is behind the rise in social media vitriol and physical attacks on minority groups.

Clothes and furniture retailer FabIndia and wellness firm Dabur had to pull adverts in the busy shopping period ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights later this week.

Household name FabIndia triggered a storm of abuse online for using an Urdu term, “Jashn-e-Rivaaz” (“celebration of tradition”), to describe its latest festive collection.


Urdu is one of India’s 22 official languages but uses a Persian-Arabic script and is considered a “Muslim language”. While Urdu originated in India, which is home to nearly 200 million Muslims, it is also the national language of bitter rival Pakistan.

Many devout Hindus believe it should not be used for their rituals and festivals. Others were outraged that women featured in the advert were not wearing a bindi, a decorative design with religious significance often adorned by Hindu women on their foreheads. Soon, the hashtag #NoBindiNoBusiness began to trend on Twitter.

Tejasvi Surya, a parliamentarian from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tweeted that FabIndia “must face economic costs for such deliberate misadventures”.

FabIndia insisted the collection was not for Diwali and said it has “always stood for the celebration of India with its myriad traditions in all hues.” Dabur’s advert courted controversy by showing two women in a same-sex partnership celebrating “Karwa Chauth” — a festival in which married Hindu women pray and fast for the longevity of their husbands.

After Dabur pulled the ad following intense pressure online, Twitter user Milind Risbud, whose bio calls for the global supremacy of Hinduism, wrote: “That’s the power of United Hindus! Well done Hindus!”

Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, whose creations are popular with top Indian celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra Jonas, was next.

Mukherjee’s promotional campaign featured seductive close-up images of women — and men — wearing a traditional mangalsutra necklace usually reserved for married women.

Narottam Mishra, the home minister in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, called it “objectionable and obscene” and threatened to have Mukherjee arrested.

His Sabyasachi label pulled the ad, saying it was “deeply saddened that it has instead offended a section of our society.” But it added: “In the context of making heritage and culture a dynamic conversation, the Mangalsutra campaign aimed to talk about inclusivity and empowerment.” Clothing brand Manyavar too had to roll back its campaign after one of its ads featuring Bollywood A-lister Alia Bhatt appeared to question a traditional wedding ritual.

The latest incidents come after jewellery brand Tanishq, owned by the Tata conglomerate, was last year forced to withdraw an advert showing an interfaith couple at a baby shower organised for the Hindu bride by her Muslim in-laws.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2021

 

[drubwrubnat]

Great job dawn !

Now go & focus on conditions of minorities on Pakistan, and for starters , wish all hindus happy diwali on the front page.

 

[Major]

Great job dawn !

Now go & focus on conditions of minorities on Pakistan, and for starters , wish all hindus happy diwali on the front page.

? This is not a front page repirt, its a report on their international section.

And dawn does report on the conditions of minorities in pakistan.

You seem irked by the fact that this news got reported but not the issue itself.

 

[drubwrubnat]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

 

[LaLoco]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

How is shop getting forced shut down for using a Urdu word isn’t more important for any Indian?

 

[Finisher]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

After the break of East Pakistan from west Pakistan

 

[Pakpak]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

The population decreased ** has already been debunked countless times. Someone will come and do it again I can't be bothered. After Bangladesh went their own way they took most of the Hindus but the actual number and percentage in Pakistan stayed the same.

You trolls really don't have a life. Spending it on Pakistani portals.

 

[street cricketer]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

It's actually in Bangladesh the population of hindus have decreased while in Pakistan, it's largely been the same. Not saying hindus in Pakistan don't have problems, but the population percentage is not one of those.

 

[Major]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

Again, do you even know the sections of a newspaper?

Thi is in their international news section. Why would yhe hindu population decrease be in international section?

 

[drubwrubnat]

You trolls really don't have a life. Spending it on Pakistani portals.

True, Im a retired young man going through crises thats why - will get back after diwali
Peace

 

[KingKhanWC]

Did they mention how the hindu population decreased in Pakistan anywhere from 15-10 % + or - a few, to 2 %.

Forced conversion etc
These are more important issues.
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones

lol glass houses?

Indians elected a Hindutva nutjob government twice . Most nations inc Pakistan have come nowhere near putting extremists in power.

Its interesting you come to the defence of the RSS. Did you vote for them? Or are you hard line supporter like joshilabhai?

 

[PakLFC]

Minorities in India are as safe as they are in Pakistan. We point three figures at ourselves when doing one at someone else. Most sensible Hindu's realise Modi has changed the entire atmosphere in the country with his hate preaching. Any Muslim who complaints too much about it will end up like SRK.

 

[Itachi]

Just keep religion elements separate from entities which doesn't have any relevance. No need to insult other people's feelings. Live and let live. The woke culture is venturing in territories where it does not need to.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Why does homosexuality bother hardline hindus? I thought Hinduism was quite fluid on this topic.

 

[Itachi]

Why does homosexuality bother hardline hindus? I thought Hinduism was quite fluid on this topic.

Hindus generally don't have issues with homosexuality.

But Karva chauth and Mangal sutra are dedicated entity to married woman (in a very high regard). You don't mix it with man (straight/homosexual/bisexual doesn't matter).

You can marry whomever you want, but should keep traditions as it is.

 

[drubwrubnat]

First of all, any businessman or corporate house should steer away from any ideological controversy/ challenging traditional status quo etc.
This is a basic rule of business.

Their job is to sell the product and not try to change/put a spin to any religious traditions.

Sometimes, if the intention is to create controversy, and a brand doesnt clarify or apologise, then they should be economic repercussions. So that they think twice.

There are hardliners in India, they have sentiments too. Corporates should respect the rights of hardliners, on both sides.

Some hindu right wingers feel , that hindu religion is an easy target so any body can sell tshirts of hindu gods, paint obscene paintings, ridicule our traditions, make some funny clips . On the other hand, people are always so careful not to cross the line with some other minority communities.

Dawn & other Pakistani establishment can’t grasp or easily understand the histories & complexities of our society, we have hindus ( who knows how many varieties of each ), muslims ( shia, sunni, ahmedia) , sikhs, buddhists, christians, jains, zoroastrians, jews - speaking 30 odd languages, with several sectarian sub cultures, all of them have existed peacefully for centuries.

Imagine , in any market , one can see a goat being cut in india, right next to a jain temple ( jains - they revere not only animals but also microorganisms) , and the meat shop customers park their scooters in the next hindu lane who is playing religious songs on loudspeakers - all this chaos which can flare up communal tensions at any point. But they somehow avoid all this & keep moving.

Yes, muslims have it 10% tougher than hindus in jobs & business. They are given less business overall than hindus, but things keep flowing , they find some niche monopoly markets, there is some unknown balancing force , which we hope will keep evolving & self correcting.

There was a statement from Manmohan singh about minorities have first rights in India, this statement i agree with, but most hindus donot agree to this statement. A lot depends on the context of this statement.
This govt will never make this statement whatsoever.


There was always, always a slight communal tension in India, the graph will continue to be with ups & downs and fabric is loosening a little bit more because of greater access to mass media/ more exposure of less privileged classes/ free internet/ dukaandari of vested interests etc.

Regards to the population decline, ok i take the point of the east Pakistan but i m looking to read/find some concrete independent study on the subject to verify the percentage, if im wrong im happy to concede my mistake & apologise.

 

[drubwrubnat]

lol glass houses?

Indians elected a Hindutva nutjob government twice . Most nations inc Pakistan have come nowhere near putting extremists in power.

Its interesting you come to the defence of the RSS. Did you vote for them? Or are you hard line supporter like joshilabhai?

Pakistan is a young country & also its a poor country - so one shouldnt consider Pakistan much of a player, other than military.

Rss is alright - i dont know too much about them but all the members i know are pretty balanced.

I dont have voter id because its a statistical waste of time. I also stay away from police & politicians - dosti bhi buri & dushmani bhi. If i vote, it will be based on my vested economic interest.

 

[LaLoco]

Pakistan is a young country & also its a poor country - so one shouldnt consider Pakistan much of a player, other than military.

Rss is alright - i dont know too much about them but all the members i know are pretty balanced.

I dont have voter id because its a statistical waste of time. I also stay away from police & politicians - dosti bhi buri & dushmani bhi. If i vote, it will be based on my vested economic interest.

So you will over look the marginalizing of over 200 million Indian Muslims and loss of innocent life due to their beliefs.

Why not vote for someone who could make the economy better and do not have to need support from a narrative that turn over 200 million Muslims "boogeyman"?

Please do not reply with "Modi" was the best at improving India's economy. India's economy was on the move, any competent leader would have made it move in positive direction without needing to marginalize minorities.

 

[drubwrubnat]

So you will over look the marginalizing of over 200 million Indian Muslims and loss of innocent life due to their beliefs.

Why not vote for someone who could make the economy better and do not have to need support from a narrative that turn over 200 million Muslims "boogeyman"?

Please do not reply with "Modi" was the best at improving India's economy. India's economy was on the move, any competent leader would have made it move in positive direction without needing to marginalize minorities.

I think what your asking is why do people vote for modi right…

Because he is authoritative- so he will last 5 years, because he has looked good in ram temple issue, because there is no major corruption allegation which is proven, and because there is no reliable opposition because bjp is politically astute with numbers game.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This might work on an insular level if you are talking about 'brands' but once you get beyond Indian borders it will come back to hurt you.

But I would like to hear the views of business experts such as [MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] who has given much insight into potential failure of Pakistan's participation in the Belt and Road project headed by China.

 

[Napa]

This might work on an insular level if you are talking about 'brands' but once you get beyond Indian borders it will come back to hurt you.

But I would like to hear the views of business experts such as [MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] who has given much insight into potential failure of Pakistan's participation in the Belt and Road project headed by China.

Fabindia, Dabur and Tanishq markets are primarily in India, they don't care much about their image abroad.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Fabindia, Dabur and Tanishq markets are primarily in India, they don't care much about their image abroad.

Apart from learning the language of their former colonisers perhaps? If those brands don't care about their image abroad, why are you promoting them using western alphabet?

 

[PakLFC]

What do you expect from such filthy RSS Indian's other then to always oppress their minorities and pick fights with them? Even their Muslim's are today celebrating Diwali to please the majority community it is still not enough to please these diseased Hindu terrorists. The situation on the burden on planet earth that is India just keeps deteriorating daily. Those trying to deflect this to Pakistan let me tell you it has nothing to do with us at all. Why do Hindu ladies dress in Salwar Kameez then someone tell me that?

 

[Napa]

Apart from learning the language of their former colonisers perhaps? If those brands don't care about their image abroad, why are you promoting them using western alphabet?

Probably because the only language all of its target customers in India understands is English. India is very diverse with 22 major languages.

 

[PakLFC]

I see Indian Muslim's more then ever before now greet people with "Namaste" not "Salam Alaykum" to please the Hindu's yet it is not enough to spare them from RSS Hindu terrorists and thugs. This is because they are at the complete mercy of diseased Hindu terrorists hoping for some kind of mercy. As we can see even these very few remaining tolerant Hindu Indian brands will be feeling threatened by RSS terrorists not knowing when their stores will be attacked for selling Muslim attire. No wonder the Sikh's are now having referendums in London to form their own country. This disease that is India threatens the entire planet.

Soon Modi and his Hindu terrorists will announce Eid and Ramzan are banned in India too. With Christmas coming up they will soon be attacking the Christian's and their culture in India within weeks. Leaders of both Muslim and Christian countries must threaten India with serious consequences if this bullsit does not stop. Some years back throwing a few Hindu's out of the Middle East for insulting Islam had the Hindu's one their knee's in days.

 

[PakLFC]

Folk's you need to be a be aggressive to the Hindu's otherwise they think you are afraid off them. Being too nice to them means they will be sitting on your head's. Particularly with these RSS kind either they are bullying you are are being bullied themselves as history teaches us there is no middle ground with them. Surely, making a fuss out off such trivial matters of what language should be used for festivals shows us they think off themselves are being in a position of immense power now. So what if a Pakistani lady wears a saree for Eid it is up to her. Who cares if some Muslim uses the word "prem" instead of "ishq" to express their love? It is these insecure Hindu RSS terrorists making a fuss out of nothing.

This is what Quaid Jinnah understood about them very clearly. The great man could read them like an open book.

 

[LaLoco]

Bigger picture most are missing out.

It is gradual campaign to obliterate Islam from India and if not then marginalize Muslims so much that most within India will think thousand times to stand with anyone who would speak against RSS extremists terror against Muslims.

Obliteration of Islam from India has to be one street at a time, one Urdu banners at a time, it can’t be sweeping change.

But hey!!! India has more FDI and high Forex which kind of make it easy for RSS to complete the task at hand.

 

[drubwrubnat]

Bigger picture most are missing out.

It is gradual campaign to obliterate Islam from India and if not then marginalize Muslims so much that most within India will think thousand times to stand with anyone who would speak against RSS extremists terror against Muslims.

Obliteration of Islam from India has to be one street at a time, one Urdu banners at a time, it can’t be sweeping change.

But hey!!! India has more FDI and high Forex which kind of make it easy for RSS to complete the task at hand.

I dont think theres many campaigns to weaken muslims per se but there are campaigns to empower unity aka bit of egoism among hindus. In doing such, minorities will get a wrong signal.
Govt is playing 0 role to promote inclusive tolerant society which is wrong. This is quite an indifferent govt who dont care much about social justice.

Also i notice that in recent times, young Indians are more extremist / moblike / intolerant / unapologetic than young Pakistanis which is a very worrying sign.

Indias fdi & forex are still long way below what is par , imo.
Any country which has high reserves ratio itself proves what investment climate it breeds.
In other words, india remains a poor country because of the lazy safe approach & conservatively backward mindset.

 

[Dingolfy]

Hindus generally don't have issues with homosexuality.

But Karva chauth and Mangal sutra are dedicated entity to married woman (in a very high regard). You don't mix it with man (straight/homosexual/bisexual doesn't matter).

You can marry whomever you want, but should keep traditions as it is.

Sati and Child marriages were( and unfortunately still are) tradition in India too.

 

[Sidilicious]

I find it funny that people get upset by some advert where a person is not wearing bindi or a guy is wearing a mangal sutra. And even more ridiculous that there are people who are getting so upset by this being pointing out.

However I would add that one should not give heed to what some random Twitteridiot says. There are millions of Twitter users in India and a small proportion will be idiots. You can’t be writing articles by simply picking the bad apples. If that were the case one could conclude anything.

 

[Napa]

But hey!!! India has more FDI and high Forex.

… and doesn’t need regular bailouts from the Western multilateral financial institutions.

 

[LaLoco]

… and doesn’t need regular bailouts from the Western multilateral financial institutions.

I guess we are both highlighting the facts but you chose not to highlight the most worrying fact from comment.