Scores of people on social media slammed Swiggy for “Hindu-phobic” billboards on Holi, following which the food delivery platform took down those ads.”
Though there is no official statement from Swiggy on the matter, a source said: “The billboard ads were only in Delhi-NCR and have been taken down now.” A number of people tweeted with the hashtag “HinduphobicSwiggy” shortly after the ad went up, asking people to avoid the food- and grocery-delivery service provider.
All India Sadhu Samaj member and former president of the Kutch Sant Samaj wrote, “Hey @swiggy, it’s not okay to give selective gyan on Hindu festivals. Your Holi reel and Billboard is creating a wrong perception about Holi. You must apologize and take steps to promote cultural inclusivity.”
Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi also objected as she wrote, “Hey Swiggy, why don’t you give similar gyan on Eid/Christmas? Afraid of Sar Tan Se Juda gang? Since you serve diverse communities, it’s important for you to learn to respect all religions. Remove your Holi ads.”
While former president of Gujarat’s Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Hardik Bhavsar said, “Immediately Uninstalled”, former BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh Arun Kumar Yadav wrote, “By promoting controversial billboards and posting reel, #HinduPhobicSwiggy has hurt the sentiments of millions of people. Swiggy must apologize to the Hindu community and remove them immediately, or face consequences. Why is there a lack of similar Ads during non-Hindu festivals?”
