'Endorsed cardamom, not gutkha': Salman on pan masala ad controversy
What's the story
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has clarified his involvement in the ongoing pan masala ad controversy. In court, he stated that he endorsed silver-coated cardamom and "not gutkha." The clarification was submitted to the Kota Consumer Court, which is hearing a complaint against Khan for featuring in allegedly misleading advertisements for a pan masala brand. The next hearing is scheduled for December 9.
Legal defense
Khan's legal team argued against the complaint's jurisdiction
Khan's advocate, Ashish Dubey, told the court that the Consumer Commission does not have jurisdiction over this complaint, reported India Today. He argued that Khan is neither a manufacturer nor a service provider for pan masala, making his involvement in the case legally unjustified. Dubey also alleged that the complainant had falsely implicated Khan, causing "unnecessary harassment."
Counterarguments
The complainant's objections and request for Khan's appearance
The complainant, Pradeep Instructor Singh Hani, has objected to the response submitted on Khan's behalf, alleging that the signatures on the document do not appear to be authentic. Hani has requested the court to order Khan's personal appearance and verify the submitted signatures, ensuring complete clarity in the matter.
Origin
Background: The saffron-coated cardamom and pan masala controversy
The controversy began over an advertisement for "saffron-coated cardamom" and "saffron-coated pan masala." Kota-based BJP leader and advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey filed a complaint alleging that Khan and the company were deceiving the public by implying that genuine saffron could be sold in a ₹5 sachet. He warned that such ads encourage youth to consume pan masala and tobacco products, which have severe health consequences.