New Delhi: Faced with incessant trolling and bullying on social media, Tanishq, a popular jewellery brand, reportedly withdrew its ad on Hindu-Muslim marriage.
Notably, a section of social media users on Monday alleged that the advertisement promotes ‘love jihad’ and was anti-Hindu in sentiment. #Boycott Tanishq trended all day on Twitter on Monday, with many asking for a ban on the controversial advertisement.
And now, the trolls have won! After disabling comments, Tanishq has finally taken down the film from Facebook and Twitter while the film link has been made private on YouTube.
Tanishq is yet to make a statement on the decision to withdraw the campaign.
Many users expressed disappointment at how bigotry and India’s cancel culture led to an ad with a beautiful message be withdrawn.
One user wrote, ”It’s a sad testament of today’s India that a lovely ad showcasing Hindu-Muslim unity had to be pulled down bcoz of the bigots. Feel more sorry for these bigots – their upbringing & lives must be terrible to be so full of anger & hate.”
It's a sad testament of today's India that a lovely ad showcasing Hindu-Muslim unity had to be pulled down bcoz of the bigots. Feel more sorry for these bigots – their upbringing & lives must be terrible to be so full of anger & hate. #tanishq https://t.co/kULwrFDogX
— Shubham Mishra (@HeyShubh69) October 13, 2020
Tanishq has officially withdrawn their ad after being trolled viciously. Here's why this is a very sad state of affairs, and context from other such ads that were trolled (and some, withdrawn) https://t.co/Nb0cSiTPHX pic.twitter.com/sn3IMBqdmC
— Karthik (@beastoftraal) October 13, 2020
So Hindutva bigots have called for a boycott of @TanishqJewelry for highlighting Hindu-Muslim unity through this beautiful ad. If Hindu-Muslim “ekatvam” irks them so much, why don’t they boycott the longest surviving symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity in the world — India? pic.twitter.com/cV0LpWzjda
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 13, 2020
It's really sad to watch what kind of country we are turning into. An ad uniting two religions has to be taken down in the country which used to be called secular since forever.🤦🏻♀️#tanishq pic.twitter.com/8E7UDl7PeH
— Nilesh Chhanga (@ChhangaNilesh) October 13, 2020
Helios.. For those lil group of haters, Tanishq has actually pulled down the ad from social media. Large is actually the group of haters and larger is your ignorance.
— Cannyകാക്ക (@CannyCorvid) October 12, 2020
So that nice, positive ad by Tanishq promoting inter-faith marriage has been pulled down by the company after “Love Jehad” backlash. This country & our septic tank society deserves to live inside the bubble of “papa nahi maanenge”. Maro isi medieval soch ke keechad me.
— yepicurious (@yepicurious) October 13, 2020
– Tanishq doesn't have an app that users can downrate
– Trolls aren't Tanishq's TG
– Tanishq is a part of Tata Group
– Tanishq is a well-regarded brandEven after all this, if Tanishq had to bow under pressure, what hope do others have?! Tragic state of affairs! https://t.co/02KYHXRsc8
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) October 13, 2020
Tanishq is an example of how troll campaigns and harassment are becoming more vicious. Employees being targetted is no joke, and this must have been a concerted plan. This is what happens when bigotry comes with knives. https://t.co/aHjy9vNULF
— Neerja (@neerjadeodhar) October 13, 2020
Make an ad promoting religious harmony.
Response by RW #BoycottSurfExcelMake an ad promoting religious harmony.
Response by RW #BoycottRedLabelMake an ad promoting religious harmony.
Response by RW #BoycottTanishqOk Simple ad.
Response by RW#BoycottHindustanUnilever pic.twitter.com/NjIcEs2pAZ— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) October 12, 2020
The ad simply shows a pregnant Hindu daughter-in-law in a Muslim household, as the family makes elaborate arrangements for her baby shower while incorporating Hindu rituals to make her comfortable.
The description of the commercial reads: She is married into a family that loves her like their own child. Only for her, they go out of their way to celebrate an occasion that they usually don’t. A beautiful confluence of two different religions, traditions, cultures.
The commercial is a part of Tanishq’s current festive season’s collection ‘Ekatvam’.