Twitterati threatens to boycott brands like Zomato, Bingo and Harpic; Here’s why

Team Udayavani, Nov 19, 2020, 4:05 PM IST

Several brands are currently facing cancellation, and netizens are taking part in the efforts to make them see the error of their ways. Hashtags like “Harpic”, “Zomato”, Bingo”, Swara” are trending on twitter

Here’s why Zomato and Harpic is trending

Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker took to Twitter and wrote, “Hey @zomatoin @zomato @deepigoyal I’m your regular customer.. do u plan to #DefundTheHate & pull your ads from hate espousing channels like @Republic_Bharat ? I’m not okay with my money even indirectly funding this kind of communal bigoted hate! Pls let your consumers know..”

Hey @zomatoin @zomato @deepigoyal I’m your regular customer.. do u plan to #DefundTheHate & pull your ads from hate espousing channels like @Republic_Bharat ? I’m not okay with my money even indirectly funding this kind of communal bigoted hate! Pls let your consumers know.. https://t.co/mMacP8IawZ

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 18, 2020

Zomato commented on the post with, “Hi Swara, please note, we don’t endorse any content except our own. That being said, we are looking into this.”

Hi Swara, please note, we don’t endorse any content except our own. That being said, we are looking into this.

— zomato care (@zomatocare) November 18, 2020

However, Netizens threatened to “uninstall the app for siding with Bhasker.”

I am urging my friends to plz stop ordering via zomato. ✌? https://t.co/hHkYHJzw1y

— your time’s up IPS/IAS elect (@indiantweeter) November 18, 2020

Only idiot mind in Zomato can say this that we are looking into this. Atleast compare the both @ReallySwara and her brand image of failed 4th grade actress and @Republic_Bharat No#1 News Network. ? https://t.co/VY3VXjIXaY

— NEEL (@nto1927) November 18, 2020

For responding to an unreasonable demand by a person who fanned communal passions, deleting Zomato app. Anyway good for health too https://t.co/WT2mBwkmPT

— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) November 18, 2020

Swara Bhasker is also the reason why Harpic is getting cancelled as she features in the ad. The ad features Bhasker as a new bride, urging people to use Harpic to ensure hygiene and cleanliness

Dear @harpic_india , Withdraw your television commercial featuring Anti Hindu, Anti Indian Swara Bhaskar immediately and hope you won’t have any future assignments with her. Thanks in advance.

— SuperStar Raj ?? (@NagpurKaRajini) November 18, 2020

Bingo, on the other hand, is trending for its ad starring Ranveer Singh which SSR fans think is mocking the late actor’s love for Science

SSR fans are miffed that actor Ranveer Singh, who appears in the Bingo ad, talks of Science–something the former loved dearly. Ranveer Singh, appearing in the ad is asked a question: Beta, aage Kya Plan Hai? To which Singh’s character responds by talking about paradoxical photons, algorithms, and aliens.

Following the criticism on social media, ITC Foods clarified that the ad did not intend to make fun of any Bollywood celebrity.

“A completely false, erroneous and mischievous message is being posted/circulated alleging that an advertisement of Bingo! is making fun of a late Bollywood celebrity.

Such kind of erroneous messages are knowingly spreading falsehoods. We request you to not fall prey to such mischievous posts,” read a statement from the company.

“The recent Bingo! Advertisement was shot more than a year ago in October 2019. It is being aired this year because of delay in the launch of Bingo! Mad Angles Cheese Nachos and Bingo! Mad Angles Pizza due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” it added.