Fashion retailer Fab India has had to pull down its Diwali greetings in Urdu in the face of what many are terming ‘economic terrorism’ by the Hindu brigade. As expected, netizens have been left stunned by the growing hatred from the supporters of India’s ruling party, the BJP.
This all started with Fab India introducing its Diwali special fashion range, which it billed as ‘Jashn-e-Riwaaz(sic)’, which translates as ‘celebration of customs.’ Its tweet, now deleted, read that ‘as we welcome the festival of love and light,’ the collection ‘pays homage to Indian culture.’
Faced with growing outrage from India’s Hindu fanatics, Fab India later denied that the new range had anything to do with the celebration of Diwali.
Shocked netizens took to Twitter to express their outrage on the ‘economic terrorism’ unleashed by radical Hindus. Many felt that India had truly turned into a BJP/RSS hate factory after Narendra Modi became the prime minister in 2014.
I feel Indians have gone mad with hatred!!!
First Tanishq, now Fab India!
Bjp RSS has managed to unleash such deep rooted hatred amongst us, that even British couldn't do!!!!#jashneRiwaaz
— Roops (@RoopsSaxena) October 19, 2021
After Tatas withdrew their ad over fear for their employees after threat to showroom, Fabindia withdraws tweet over a hashtag calling for a boycott. Economic terrorism on the rise, unchallenged.https://t.co/c6LChvMCdL
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) October 19, 2021
Urdu is Indian, Fascism is foreign! https://t.co/xTgJ0j5oZG
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 18, 2021
A sign of the times that some lawmakers have the time and energy to run a campaign to boycott FabIndia. Guess they have no answers to rising prices and escalating hate in every form so boycott this and boycott that.
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) October 18, 2021
This is not the time business outlets in India have had to face outrage from Hindu fundamentalists. Last year, Tata-owned Tanishq Jewellers had to withdraw its video ad promoting communal harmony in the face of brutal attack from the Hindutva brigade in the country since a Hindu bride was shown to be married to a loving Muslim family.
Tanishq had also issued a statement saying that it was withdrawing the ad citing hurt sentiments and the well-being of its staff. The statement by Tanishq hadsaid that it was ‘deeply saddened with the inadvertent stirring of emotions.’
Not too long ago, a video ad by fashion brand Manyaavar featuring Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt in wedding attire had caused a social media outrage. Radical Hindus had accused the fashion brand and Alia Bhatt of mocking the Hindu rituals.