Bollywood actor Aamir Khan was branded ‘anti-Hindu’ after a BJP MP claimed that Khan’s CEAT tyres ad on firecrackers was ‘creating unrest among Hindus’. The flak on Khan comes just a few days after clothing brand FabIndia had to pull its ad which showed its upcoming Diwali collection titled ‘Jashn-E-Riwaaz’. The brand’s choice of words received backlash on Twitter after the Urdu colloquial term triggered an outrage. Earlier this week, Indian team skipper Virat Kohli was also amid similar controversy. Skipper Kohli said that he would be sharing a series of ways people can celebrate Diwali.
Background
Lately, brands and influential figures have to walk on egg shells when it comes to promoting a certain product. An army of netizens on Twitter and other social media platforms are always on the lookout for calling out these influential figures for hurting their religious or political sentiments.
In a nation that takes pride itself on being secular, the new shift is being looked as transformative. From Tanishq to Manyavar, brands in the past couple of years have suffered due to sharing ads which have offended people of certain religious backgrounds.
Now, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is in the eye of controversy due to an old ad.
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The Facts of the Matter
Mr. Perfectionist aka Aamir Khan has been labelled “anti-Hindu” actor by Karnataka BJP MP Ananthkumar Hegde. Taking to Twitter, the BJP MP objected to the latest CEAT tyres ad which showed Khan advising people against the usage of firecrackers. The BJP MP wrote a letter to the company MD Anant Vardhan Goenka to take cognisance into the matter as he claims, it has created “unrest” among the Hindu majority.
“Blocking Roads in the Name of Namaz”: BJP MP’s Letter to CEAT Tyres
Claiming that the new ad which features Aamir Khan advising against firecrackers usage is sending good message, Mr. Hegde asked the MD and CEO of CEAT tyres to take cognisance into other matters too.
“In this regard, I request you to address one more problem faced by people on roads, i.e., blocking roads in the name of Namaz on Fridays and other important festive days by Muslims.” The minister claimed that people suffer ‘grave losses’ due to the traffic jams that occur where ambulances and firefighter vehicles are not allowed to pass.
The minister further focused on religious activities undertaken by Muslims such as Azaan. “I also request you to highlight the issue of noise pollution in your ads. Every day loud noise is emitted from mike arranged on top of mosques in our country when Azan is given,” he wrote in the letter.
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“You Also Belong to Hindu Community”
The BJP MP goes on to appeal to the Hindu religion the CEAT tyres MD practices and added, “As you are very keen and sensitive towards the problems faced by the general public and you also belong to the Hindu community, I am sure you can feel the discrimination done to the Hindus since centuries.”
Adding that a group of ‘anti-Hindu’ actors are out to hurt Hindu religious sentiments, the BJP MP wrote, “Nowadays a group of ‘Anti-Hindu’ actors always hurt Hindu sentiments whereas they never try to expose the wrong doings of their community.”
“Therefore, I kindly request you to take cognisance of this particular incident where your company’s advertisement has created an unrest among the Hindus,” Hegde concluded.
The CEAT Tyre Ad in Question
The ad features Bollywood actor Aamir Khan asking children to burst crackers in the apartment complex rather than roads. The ad then goes on to show Khan bursting crackers on the road with CEAT tyres claiming that the tyres are secure despite the firecrackers bursting.
Watch the Ad Here:
Netizens React to Aamir Khan’s New Fireworks Ad
Meanwhile, netizens too had a strong reaction on Aamir Khan’s CEAT tyres ad.
Why only Hindu festival??
Why doesn't Aamir Khan speak on the Namaz on the way?🤬
मैं अमीर खान की हर विज्ञापन का बहिष्कार करता हूं#ShameonYouCeatTyres@amir_khan#ShameonYouCeatTyres pic.twitter.com/Y4z5kF6QnZ pic.twitter.com/iJKxEFUkx2— Suraj Soni (@suraj_soni108) October 21, 2021
Why does Aamir Khan, who gave the knowledge of not bursting crackers on the road, speak against Namaz on the road?#ShameonYouCeatTyres pic.twitter.com/PkOaG0hpPf
— ऋषि राजपूत 🇮🇳 (@srishirajIND) October 21, 2021
Aamir Khan felt india is unsafe. Now advertises some tyre company. Time to boycott him & companies that hire him. #EconomicBoycott
— MRV (@MRVChennai) October 22, 2021
Hindu Tej Jago!
Actor Aamir Khan appeals people not to burst firecrackers on roads in an advertisement promoting 'Ceat Tyres'.
Dear Aamir, people are eagerly awaiting a similar appeal not to offer Namaz on roads as well !#ShameonYouCeatTyres pic.twitter.com/vRuVBtzDvJ
— Sanatan Prabhat (Kannada) (@Sanatan_Prabhat) October 21, 2021
Don’t burst firecrackers on the streets during Diwali : Actor Aamir Khan appeals through the advertisement of ‘CEAT Tyre’
Would he ever advice ‘Don’t offer namaz on the street ?’
Time to show the door this Deepavali ! pic.twitter.com/zLxlsES0MD
— Aravinda Baliga (@baliga_2012) October 17, 2021