Radio Mirchi's #MatAaoIndia ad creates major controversy
What's the story
The Swiss couple assault incident in Fatehpur Sikri left Indians fuming. Top officials of the country condemned strongly.
Radio Mirchi too made a creative to protest, but it backfired: the ad was themed on #MatAaoIndia ("Don't visit India").
The sarcasm was not taken well. Citizens slammed it for its "poor taste".
Now the I&B Ministry has issued the channel a show cause notice.
Attack
A young Swiss couple was assaulted in UP
A 24-year-old Swiss couple was strolling near the Fatehpur Sikri railway station when some youths approached them.
They passed comments, harassed the woman and enquired where they were putting up in Agra.
Then they attacked them with stones and sticks.
Instead of helping, others reportedly recorded the injured couple on camera.
The man was left with hearing impairment while she had an arm fracture.
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In response, Radio Mirchi VP releases controversial ad
Many ministers, politicians and citizens condemned the incident. Among them was Akash Banerjee, Vice President-Regional Programming Head at Radio Mirchi.
"With lumpen elements openly targeting tourists, we'll soon have to update our #IncredibleIndia ads," he tweeted along with a 48 second creative; it has since been removed.
Reportedly, the ad talked about how India was great before, but now all tourist spots are unsafe.
Reactions
Listeners didn't take too kindly to the creative
Angry listeners slammed the ad. "With lumpen elements openly campaigning #MatAaoIndia, I'll never ever listen to @RadioMirchi again #MatSunoMirchi," tweeted @iAnkurSingh.
"This is very poor in taste (a)nd totally uncalled for. U cant blame whole country for a small group of peoples," said @Faatima433.
"Does this amount to Anti-National act & peddling rumors or is it FoE and test of our tolerance?" asked @moronhumor.
Twitter Post
Radio Mirchi apologizes for hurting sentiments
— RadioMirchi (@RadioMirchi) October 27, 2017
Notice
The government wants the channel to respond within 15 days
Now the government has sent it a show cause notice for the "defamatory" ad, which it says violates AIR code.
If the channel doesn't respond within 15 days, the government would be "constrained to initiate action", the notice said.
In the meanwhile, Radio Mirchi has apologized for hurting sentiments, but Twitterati aren't satisfied; many have called for Banerjee's sacking.