Three superstars of Indian cinemas Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar, who served the Bollywood industry since a long time were legally accused by centre’s notice for promoting the advertisements of gutka brand.
Image source: A tobacco brand in India
Petitions by the Central Government
On Friday, the Deputy Solicitor General, SB Pandey apprised the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court that the Central Consumer Protection Authority(CCPA) had issued a legal notice to SRK, Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar for advertising tobacco products as per reported by PTI.
Besides that, Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan’s bench already issued a petition to the Central Government on October 22. Petitioners impelled their notice in opposition to the actors and tobacco companies. Although, it was claimed that no actions were taken regarding this petition.
Central also informed the Allahabad High Court on Friday that the petition should be dismissed as the Supreme Court is also hearing the same case. After hearing this from the centre and seeing the information, the bench fixed the next date of hearing of this case next year i.e. May 9, 2024.
Contents of the centre’s Notice
Advocat Motilal Yadav filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court in August alleging that the court’s order on advertising gutka in September 2022 is being disobeyed. He alleged that the involvement of celebrities in advertisements of products that are harmful to public health, especially if Padma Award Winning actors do such advertisements, can have a negative impact on society. At that time whoever filed the petition on behalf of the court, was advised to approach the Central Government.
Tobacco products are very harmful to the body, although there is no ban on the sale of tobacco products in our country but the Government is quite strict about advertising.
Those actors are representers and influencers of India and if they endorse tobacco products like pan masala and all, what the generation will adopt?
Image source: Akshay Kumar’s Twitter handle
Tobacco Advertisements Controversy
There are many tobacco companies in India which are promoted by many celebrities. Besides Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar there are many famous personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Saif Ali Khan and some more promoting tobacco ads.
Incidentally, Akshay Kumar is the brand ambassador of a famous tobacco brand and had earlier said that he would not be part of this type of campaign. But this year, these three Bollywood stars are seen promoting a famous gutka company. That’s when the controversy started. Many of the fans of the stars were also upset with their actions. Also in a portal, he reacted to a report called “fake news” and tweeted about it.
Another name raised in this tobacco controversy is Big B of the Bollywood industry Amitabh Bachchan. A legal notice has been sent to him but he claims that even though he canceled the contract, the agency aired his advertisement.
