National Commission for Scheduled Castes sends notice to Zomato, Delhi Police and YouTube over ‘casteist’ advertisement
The Hindu
The NCSC has also sent copies of the notice to the Commissioner, Delhi Police, and the Grievance Redressal Officer of YouTube India. Read more on The Hindu
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has now issued a notice to Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal over an “inhuman” and casteist advertisement that featured a Dalit character from the film Lagaan being used as a table, lamp, watering can, etc.
While the food-delivery platform withdrew its advertisement within days after facing strong backlash from citizens, the commission said it had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and commenced its own inquiries.
The NCSC has also sent copies of the notice to the Commissioner, Delhi Police, and the Grievance Redressal Officer of YouTube India, saying that they launch their own investigations into this episode and submit action taken reports as soon as possible.
Zomato launched the advertisement as a special feature for World Environment Day on June 5. In the advertisement, actor Aditya Lakhia is shown reprising his role as the Dalit character ‘Kachra’ in Lagaan. He is shown being used as a lamp, paper, paperweight, watering can, and different types of jackets, with the text below detailing how much ‘kachra’ was recycled to make each of these items.
According to the notice, the NCSC has asked the Delhi Police if any FIR had been registered in the matter and whether provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had been invoked in the FIR. Similarly, the commission has also asked YouTube India where the advertisement was being streamed before it was taken down, to look into how it was allowed on the platform and what action had been taken for it.
A statement from the NCSC said that Chairperson Vijay Sampla had personally taken up this matter. In a video statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Sampla said, “The ad film of Zomato company portrayed inhuman depictions and has hurt sentiments of Scheduled Caste persons.” The NCSC chairperson added that several complaints had also been received from citizens about the advertisement but that it had taken up the issue before that on its own.
Amol Palekar advocates against pre-censorship in films and theatre, urging the government to protect artists' freedom of expression.
BJP legislators demand release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, threatening protests and border blockade if demands not met.
Odisha loses 790 elephants in a decade, with electrocution as the leading cause of unnatural deaths.
ASI issues notice to halt construction at Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt near Rameshwara temple in Shivamogga.
Madurai High Court orders removal of encroachments along Madurai-Dindigul highway, Corporation and Highways Department officials conduct joint operation.
Maharashtra Congress chief initiates signature campaign for return of ballot papers, sparking nationwide debate on EVMs.
Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari on Wednesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to undertake periodical maintenance of NH66 without giving room for complaints.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw updates Lok Sabha on Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. shareholding, Goa willing to relinquish.
One dies, eight hospitalised after inhaling HCL fumes at pharma company in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. About 400 litres of HCL leaked from the reactor-cum-receiver tank at Unit-III of the company, which affected nine workers, says Collector. While the condition of six of them is stable, two are on ventilator support. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directs authorities to provide advanced treatment to the victims. Home Minister Anitha expresses anger over repeated such incidents.
Parents and social workers in Thoothukudi request new Anganwadi buildings due to unsafe conditions in current rental buildings.
Delta districts face heavy rainfall, prompting coordinated efforts to mitigate damages, with NDRF teams deployed for rescue operations.