After threats, Tanishq store puts up apology

Rajkot: The social media backlash over the TV commercial of jewellery brand, Tanishq, had an echo in Kutch district where its showroom in Gandhidham town displayed a hand-written apology following threat calls.
The showroom started getting threat calls from Kutch and other parts of the state on October 12 over the advertisement that was aired last week. The company has already withdrawn the advertisement ‘Ekatvam’ which shows a Muslim family celebrating the baby shower of their Hindu daughter-in-law.
A video of a man identified as Shamji alias Ramesh Ahir asking the showroom employees to paste the apology on the entrance door, send the same on his mobile number and make it viral on October 12 was also widely circulated on social media on Wednesday.
“As the advertisement of Tanishq aired on TV is shameful (sic), Gandhidham Tanishq apologizes to the entire Hindu community of Kutch,” the note in Gujarati pasted on the showroom's entrance read. It was removed later.
Tanishq is owned by Titan Company Ltd, a part of Tata Group.
The staff members reported to the police that they had received several threatening calls on the landline number. An employee said on the condition of anonymity, “The two persons who barged inside on Monday were using abusive language in front of women employees too.”
Mayur Patil, superintendent of police, Kutch (east), said patrolling has been intensified near the showroom after the manager started getting threat calls from Kutch as well as other parts of Gujarat on October 12 when the advertisement was aired. “Two persons had come to the showroom and demanded that an apology in Gujarati be pasted. After being informed about the threats on October 13, we had increased our vigil.”
On his part, Ahir told TOI, “I had gone to the showroom with my cousin brother, but we did not threaten the owner or employees. I only requested them to issue an apology to the Hindu community of Kutch district. I am a Hindu and the advertisement has hurt our sentiments.
Talking to TOI, Prakash Gupta, franchise owner of the showroom said, “Some people came to us on October 12 saying that the Hindus have been hurt by the advertisement. At that time, I did not know about the advertisement at all. They demanded an apology and put up the board.”
Gupta denied any vandalism at the showroom.