New Delhi: Streaming platform Eros Now has issued an apology after its Navratri ad campaign ran into rough weather with a section of social media. The campaign seemed to employ a titillating tone, and many incensed social media users subsequently launched a ‘BoycottErosNow’ trend on Twitter.
— Eros Now (@ErosNow) October 22, 2020
As of Thursday afternoon, #BoycottErosNow was trending at number two on Twitter. The number one trending hashtag was #HBDayAmitShah that marked Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s birthday.
The posts by Eros Now included one that said, “Be naughty, sweet toh mithai bhi hai” followed by “#Navratri”. Another post featured a photo of actor Katrina Kaif alongside the text, “Do you want to put the ‘ratri’ in my Navratri?”
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‘Vulgar, obnoxious’
Critics of the ads said the tweets were “vulgar”, “obnoxious”, and “mock Hinduism & its glorious festivals”. They also drew comparisons between the Eros Now ads for Navratri and those for Eid.
Such tweets from #Hinduphobic @ErosNow cannot be withstood at any cost.
Such obnoxious tweets are totally unacceptable in a civilized society, upon that they mock Hinduism & its glorious festivals.
Request @MIB_India to take cognizance.@RadharamnDas pic.twitter.com/ueJUDeTUJr
— Sanatan Prabhat (@sanatanprabhat) October 22, 2020
Those who criticised the ads on Twitter included BJP member Khemchand Sharma, who was part of the party’s national social media campaign committee in 2019.
We strongly support #BoycottErosNow and condemn their #Hinduphobic behavior.
Vulgar video post are made for #DurgaPuja and #Dandiya but @ErosNow was very sensitive (Sanskari) while wishing #Eid …
We can't tolerate such anti Hindu campaign.
— khemchand sharma #IStandWithFarmersBill (@SharmaKhemchand) October 21, 2020
Haryana BJP social media head Arun Yadav weighed in too.
Shame On @ErosNow ?
Maximum Retweet And Repeat With Me #BoycottErosNow pic.twitter.com/NunUhoW9pl
— Arun Yadav (@beingarun28) October 22, 2020
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