Jaivardhan Singh, son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, said on Thursday that using the terms like “Bhagwa Atankwad” is wrong, but there is no place for those who support Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.
Former minister Jaivardhan Singh, who is MLA from his family bastion Raghogarh in Rajgarh district, made these remarks while responding to the acquittal of ex-BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and six others in the 17-year-old Malegaon blast case in Maharashtra, in which six people were killed in 2008.
“I personally believe that using the word ‘Bhagwa’ is completely wrong. I haven’t read the court’s judgment yet, but I would welcome the court’s verdict,” Jaivardhan Singh said. He further stated that Pragya Singh Thakur may have been acquitted in the Malegaon blast case, but the people in a civilised society won’t accept her because she supports Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse.
“Pragya Singh has praised Nathuram Godse several times at different occasions; therefore, even if she has been acquitted, we won’t accept her, and no one in a civilised society will accept her,” Jaivardhan added.
When reporters reminded him that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already warned Pragya Singh Thakur for her alleged derogatory remarks on Mahatma Gandhi, and she was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Bhopal in 2024, Jaivardhan said, “Then I would urge BJP friends also to stop praying for her (Pragya Thakur)”.
Notably, Pragya Singh Thakur had won the Lok Sabha from Bhopal in 2019 against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh. Digvijaya Singh was among those Congress leaders to use words like ‘Bhagwa’ Atankwad’ and “RSS bomb-making factory” after the Malegaon blast had happened, and Thakur was arrested. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bhopal, the BJP had then presented Digvijaya Singh as anti-Hindu for his words “Bhagwa Atankwad” and Pragya Singh Thakur, despite being an accused then had won the election.
In 2024, the BJP, however, sidelined Thakur for his relentless, controversial remarks on Mahatma Gandhi and replaced her with Alok Sharma. Digvijaya Singh also chose to contest the Lok Sabha from his home district, Rajgarh, but he lost again.
The Mumbai court on 31 July 2025 acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, citing a lack of sufficient evidence under charges filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
-IANS
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The Loyola College, Chennai, has taken down the advertisement for its unapproved ‘Diploma in Filmmaking (AI) France’ from its official website, following widespread criticism and regulatory concerns. The program was flagged for violating University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and potentially putting students’ academic futures at risk.
This development follows a firm advisory issued by the UGC, cautioning students, educational institutions, and EdTech platforms against entering into or endorsing collaborations with foreign entities that lack official approval. The commission warned that any degrees or diplomas obtained through such unauthorized partnerships would be deemed invalid, and institutions involved could face strict penalties.
The issue came to the forefront after Loyola College’s association with Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), Paris, drew scrutiny. The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a legal advocacy organization, lodged formal complaints with the UGC, the Ministry of Education, and the University of Madras. The complaints alleged that Loyola was offering an unrecognized filmmaking diploma in collaboration with DBIMA—an arrangement not in compliance with existing educational regulations and potentially endangering students’ academic credentials and visa eligibility overseas.
In a statement released on 22 July 2025, the UGC reaffirmed its stance, referring back to a 12 December 2023 notification. The commission highlighted the applicable regulatory framework established in its 2022 and 2023 guidelines, which govern joint and dual degree programs, twinning arrangements, and collaborations involving foreign campuses. The statement served as a reminder to all stakeholders to adhere strictly to UGC-approved procedures when pursuing international academic partnerships.
“It has been observed that many HEls/colleges have entered into collaborative agreements/arrangements with foreign-based educational institutions/providers not recognized by the Commission and have been facilitating the issuance of degrees to the students enrolled in those institutions/college from such foreign-based educational institutions/educational providers. Similarly, some EdTech companies are also giving advertisements in newspapers/social media/television ete. offering degree and diploma programmes in Online modes in association with some foreign universities/institutions. Therefore, it is reiterated that any such kind of collaboration/ arrangement is not recognized by the University Grants Commission and accordingly, the degrees issued subsequent to such collaboration/ arrangement are also not recognized by the Commission. Action will be taken against all the defaulting HEls and EdTech companies under applicable laws/rules/regulations. Students/general public are once again advised to exercise due caution and are made aware that such courses/programmes/degrees do not have UGC recognition and that they would be doing at their own risk and consequences.” the UGC said.
📢 UGC Updates
UGC warns students and institutions against collaborations with foreign-based education providers and EdTech companies that are not recognised by the Commission. Degrees obtained through such arrangements are not valid and may result in strict action.
Allegations of Fraud and Misconduct Rock Loyola College and Don Bosco Academy
In a blistering email addressed to the CEO of Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), Paris, Joseph Kennedy a distinguished alumnus of both Loyola College, Chennai, and Don Bosco institutions has leveled serious accusations of academic malpractice, ethical misconduct, and deliberate concealment surrounding an unauthorized “Diploma in Filmmaking (AI), France.”
Kennedy, widely recognized for his 2022 campaign that led the University Grants Commission (UGC) to reject Loyola College’s bid for university status, has once again publicly challenged his former institution. His latest allegation targets a joint diploma program between Loyola and DBIMA Paris, which he claims violates educational norms and misleads students under the guise of a “dual certification” allowing project completion in France.
Despite the program being heavily promoted, including by DBIMA’s CEO Fr. John Paul Swaminathan, an RTI response from the University of Madras Loyola’s affiliating university confirms that the filmmaking diploma has not received formal approval, rendering it illegitimate under Indian regulations.
“Loyola College has a history of entering into unauthorized international collaborations without proper regulatory clearance,” Kennedy stated, citing his detailed 41-page submission to the UGC, titled “Loyola College, Chennai is at a Dangerous Inflection Point.”
The controversy takes a darker turn with the involvement of actor John Vijay, featured in promotional materials for the program alongside Fr. Swaminathan. Vijay has faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment, including during the 2018 and 2024 waves of India’s #MeToo movement. Despite these public allegations widely reported in outlets like Hindustan Times and India Today the institution continued to associate with him, a move Kennedy calls “deeply unethical and morally indefensible.”
“When a faith-based college promotes someone with a record of sexual misconduct, it sends a dangerous signal,” Kennedy emphasized.
In his email, Kennedy clarified that he is not inviting dialogue but publicly distancing himself from what he described as a “morally bankrupt” operation.
“If DBIMA continues its collaboration with Loyola, it does so fully aware that it is endorsing an academically unapproved and ethically compromised program.”
This development emerges amid increasing scrutiny of Catholic educational institutions in India, especially those run by Jesuit orders, many of which face criticism for administrative opacity, abuse cover-ups, and commercializing education under the guise of religious values.
Silence from DBIMA and Loyola, Escalating Regulatory Heat
As of now, neither DBIMA Paris nor Loyola College has issued any public statement addressing the allegations. However, sources within the University of Madras suggest further regulatory measures may be initiated if the program continues despite lacking approval.
Meanwhile, the University of Madras with over 130 affiliated colleges has come under fire for sidestepping its responsibilities. Instead of providing clear answers to an RTI filed by Kennedy, now an activist with Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) India, the university redirected the request to Loyola itself raising concerns about its oversight mechanisms.
Kennedy’s RTI sought clarification on the academic legitimacy of the filmmaking diploma, the nature of correspondence between Loyola and the university, and possible violations of affiliation norms. Yet, the university effectively washed its hands of the matter.
“Asking Loyola to investigate itself is a complete abdication of responsibility,” Kennedy said. “It’s an institutional failure that threatens both student welfare and public trust in higher education.”
A Glamorous Facade, Misleading Promotions
Despite lacking regulatory clearance, Loyola conducted a graduation ceremony for students of the disputed diploma course. The event featured prominent figures from the Tamil film industry, including cinematographer P.C. Sreeram, actor Arya, veteran actor Nassar, and editor Lenin lending undue credibility to a program that may not meet legal or academic standards.
Kennedy expressed outrage over this deceptive promotion, “This goes beyond administrative negligence it’s willful deception. Students are spending lakhs for a qualification that may have no standing.”
He further criticized DBIMA’s apparent lack of due diligence before partnering with Loyola, asserting that the Salesian institution must not repeat the mistakes made during the DBPPA Egmore abuse scandal a case Kennedy claims was buried under a culture of silence and image management.
“If DBIMA finds this alliance has been built on false pretenses, it must immediately revoke certifications and publicly admit its role in misleading students.”
Human Rights Implications and Public Accountability
Adding weight to the controversy, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has acknowledged a complaint from the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), citing potential violations of students’ rights. The complaint points out that unsuspecting students paid substantial fees for a program lacking both recognition and legal legitimacy potentially compromising their futures, especially if they sought international opportunities.
In parallel, Loyola’s evasive handling of RTI inquiries has amplified public criticism. The college failed to respond within the 30-day timeframe mandated by the RTI Act and, when it eventually replied, declined to share meaningful information dismissing the request as not being in the “public interest.”
Kennedy was incredulous, “Loyola acts like it’s above scrutiny. They held high-profile MoU events, issued press releases, but now claim there’s no public interest in disclosing program details? That’s absurd.”
A Second Batch Amid the Scandal
Despite legal scrutiny and media coverage, Loyola appears to be pushing forward with a second batch of the same filmmaking diploma, further alarming watchdogs and regulatory authorities. Kennedy warns that this brazen move points to institutional impunity enabled by systemic regulatory failure.
“This isn’t just about Jesuit overreach anymore it’s about a crumbling framework of academic governance. Officials at the University of Madras appear to be complicit by remaining passive.”
The unfolding scandal has exposed serious cracks in India’s higher education oversight particularly the ease with which private and autonomous colleges can bypass approval processes while using foreign branding to attract students. There are growing calls for the UGC and the University of Madras to take immediate and decisive action against Loyola College, restore regulatory credibility, and ensure that similar breaches do not recur.
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In a major political development in Tamil Nadu, the faction led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has officially announced its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The declaration was made by senior leader and OPS loyalist Panruti S. Ramachandran, who stated, “We are breaking the alliance with the NDA.” The announcement comes as OPS prepares to embark on a statewide tour in the lead-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Ramachandran noted that there is currently no alliance with any political party and that decisions regarding future alliances would be made closer to the elections.
The split follows what is widely viewed as a snub by the central leadership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Tamil Nadu, OPS had written to him seeking an appointment, expressing that it would be his “singular honour” to meet the Prime Minister at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. However, the request was reportedly declined, leaving the OPS camp disappointed.
In the aftermath, OPS took to social media to criticise the Union Government for delays in releasing funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, signalling a growing rift with the BJP. His departure from the NDA is now being seen as the culmination of these tensions.
Adding an element of political intrigue, OPS met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during a morning walk earlier today, raising speculation about potential future alignments. OPS, once a key leader of the AIADMK and a former ally of the BJP within the NDA, has been politically adrift since a bitter power struggle with Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) led to a split in the AIADMK. He subsequently formed his own faction and aligned briefly with the BJP.
The exit of the OPS faction from the NDA is expected to impact Tamil Nadu’s political landscape significantly, especially among the Thevar community, a powerful social group in southern Tamil Nadu that has traditionally backed the AIADMK. It remains to be seen how the community will respond to OPS’ decision to walk away from the BJP alliance. With the 2026 elections looming, the move sets the stage for potential realignments and shifting loyalties in the state’s dynamic political scene.
-IANS
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More than 5.67 crore job seekers have been registered on the National Career Service (NCS) portal (as on July 14), out of which 3.03 crore were male, 2.63 crore were female, 1.55 lakh were not gender-specified, and 8,535 were transgender, the Parliament was informed on Thursday. Further, more than 6.49 crore vacancies have been mobilised on the NCS Portal, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
The NCS portal is a one-stop solution for providing career-related services, including information on jobs from private and government sectors, information on online & offline job fairs, job search and matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses, skill/training programmes, etc., through a digital platform.
The Ministry also launched the eShram portal (eshram.gov.in) on 26 August 2021, for the creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) seeded with Aadhaar. The eShram portal is meant to register and support the unorganised workers by providing them with a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis.
As on 21 July 2025, over 30.95 crore unorganised workers have already registered on the eShram portal, the minister informed the House. Moreover, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Payroll Data indicates the level of employment in the formal sector.
During the years 2020-21 to 2024-25, more than 5.99 crore net subscribers have joined the EPFO. Also, more than 7.67 crore newly registered employees, paid contribution under Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) during the year 2020-21 to 2024-25, said the minister.
Karandlaje further stated that the Ministry of MSME, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for assisting entrepreneurs in setting up new enterprises in the non-farm sector. It aims to provide employment opportunities to traditional artisans/rural and urban unemployed youth at their doorstep.
-IANS
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After the Yatris were allowed to move towards the holy cave shrine from Baltal base camp on 31 July 2025, the annual Amarnath Yatra 2025 has crossed the four-lakh mark. J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Board (SAAB), shared the information on his X handle.
“Baba Amarnath makes the impossible, possible. With his blessings, the Holy Yatra today crossed the figure of 4 Lakh. I bow to Lord Shiva for this miracle and express my gratitude to everyone involved in making the holy pilgrimage a divine experience for devotees,” he posted on X.
He said this godly expedition was “incomparable not because it’s arduous and challenging but because it’s an inimitable journey into pure bliss”. “It’s a spiritual experience & gives an opportunity to devotees to know themselves & offers deep trust & fills their hearts with infinite gratitude,” the L-G further wrote in the post.
The L-G said the record number of darshans and the arrival of devotees from across the country and the globe were a testament to India’s unity and its resolve to overcome the challenges. “I am truly thankful to the devotees, who have shown immense faith and strengthened our priceless spiritual heritage,” he said.
Baba Amarnath makes the impossible, possible. With his blessings, the Holy Yatra today crossed the figure of 4 Lakh. I bow to Lord Shiva for this miracle and express my gratitude to everyone involved in making the holy pilgrimage a divine experience for devotees.
The movement of Yatris from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu was suspended this morning due to the maintenance of the track from Pahalgam to the cave shrine, but later in the day, devotees were allowed to move towards the cave shrine from Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district.
This year’s Yatra has witnessed a large rush of devotees as it takes place in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed by Pakistan-backed three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
All three hardcore Pakistani terrorists, including Suleman Shah and his two associates, Abu Hamza and Jibran Bhai, were killed by the joint forces on July 28 in Operation Mahadev in the upper reaches of the Dachigam national park in Srinagar.
Yatris approach the cave shrine either from the traditional Pahalgam route or through the shorter Baltal route. Those undertaking the trek from the Pahalgam side take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal base camp return to the base camp the same day after having the darshan.
The cave shrine situated at 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
This year’s Yatra started on July 3 and will end on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festival. The fact that four lakh devotees have performed the Yatra this year so far is proof of the victory of faith over terror.
-IANS
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The Indian stock market settled slightly down after a highly volatile session on 31 July 2025. The domestic indices showed resilience, averting a big crash post US tariff imposition on India, driven by buying interest in FMCG stocks.
Sensex ended the session at 81,185.58, down 296.28 points or 0.36 per cent. The 30-share index opened the trading with a significant fall at 80,695.50 against the last session’s closing of 81,481.86. The index showed some resiliency, erasing early gains and returning in green in the afternoon, hitting an intraday high at 81,803.27 amid buying in the consumer sector.
However, it did not hold up the momentum in the closing hour due to a monthly expiry day. Nifty closed at 24,768.35, down 86.70 points or 0.35 per cent.
According to analysts, India’s true strength lies in its economic resilience. Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, NTPC, Reliance, Asian Paints, L&T and Titan were the top losers from the Sensex basket. While Hindustan Unilever, Eternal, ITC, and Kotak Mahindra Bank settled in green.
The selling pressure gripped the broader market as well. Nifty 100 fell 95 points or 0.38 per cent, Nifty Mid cap 100 dragged 541 points or 0.93 per cent, and Nifty Small cap 100 ended the session 190 points or 1.05 per cent lower.
Meanwhile, amid a bearish market, Nifty FMCG soared 791 points or 1.44 per cent, driven by buying interest- especially in Hindustan Unilever after it reported decent earnings in Q1. Other sectoral indices settled in negative territory with Nifty Auto falling 89 points, Nifty IT slipping 180 points, and Nifty Bank closing 188 points down.
The domestic market attempted a strong recovery after experiencing a sharp decline, but by the end of the day, it closed with marginal losses on a monthly expiry day. “Investors gravitated toward domestically oriented, non-discretionary players, especially FMCG, which offered attractive valuations, demand outlook and relative insulation from tariff risks,” said analysts.
-IANS
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Authorities in West Godavari district have apprehended a pastor and school correspondent, Akumarthi Shaji Jayaraju, on grave charges of rape, which resulted in the victim’s pregnancy. The arrest follows an investigation into an incident that unfolded in the Rayavaram mandal.
AP: Pastor Akumarthi Shaji Jayaraju of Divine Grace Ministries, Machavaram, East Godavari District is running an unauthorized school. He raped a minor student in March 2025, threatened her life, and now she’s pregnant. Police arrested him.
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) July 31, 2025
According to details provided by Ramachandrapuram trainee DSP P. Pradeepti, Jayaraju, who also oversees the Margadarshi Foundation, a private educational institution in Machavaram, Rayavaram mandal, is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl. The incident reportedly occurred on 26 March of this year. Jayaraju allegedly lured the student from a classroom to his office under the guise of retrieving files. While in the office, he is accused of sexually assaulting her. The victim, reportedly intimidated by threats to her life, initially feared disclosing the assault to anyone.
The alarming situation came to light recently when the girl’s parents observed significant changes in her health. Upon taking her to a hospital for examination, medical professionals confirmed she was five months pregnant. Faced with this revelation, the distressed parents questioned their daughter, who then bravely recounted the abuse she suffered at the hands of the school correspondent.
On the 28th of this month, the victim’s parents filed a formal complaint with the police, demanding stringent action against the accused. Responding swiftly to the complaint, law enforcement registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Jayaraju.
Police successfully located and arrested the absconding suspect, Jayaraju, yesterday at the Kothuru Suburb intersection in Ramachandrapuram mandal. Following his arrest, Jayaraju was presented before a magistrate and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
Superintendent of Police B. Krishna Rao, Additional SP Prasad, and Ramachandrapuram DSP Raghuveer commended the police personnel and staff for their diligent efforts and successful apprehension of the accused in this sensitive case.
The acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on Thursday marks the end of a case which saw the coining of a new term ‘Hindu terror’ and its effective junking by the Special NIA Court in Mumbai.
The 17-year-long trial witnessed several twists, with three charge sheets, including a supplementary one, being filed by two probe agencies: the ATS, Maharashtra, and the NIA. Both agencies added new contours to the prosecution theory at crucial stages and frequently included and dropped witnesses.
Key facts, developments and dates related to the case:
29 September 2008: Six killed in Malegaon after a bomb strapped to a motorcycle explodes, sparking riots
Accused: Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, former BJP MP from Bhopal; Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, then serving officer in Military Intelligence; Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay; Ajay Rahirkar; Sudhakar Dwivedi; Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni
Charges: Conspiracy, murder, and use of explosives under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Genesis of ‘Hindu terror’: The ATS led by Hemant Karkare claimed that the blast was carried out by individuals linked to right-wing Hindu extremist groups – leading to the coining of the term ‘Hindu terror’
October 2008: ATS arrests Sadhvi Pragya, Purohit; both accused of links to Abhinav Bharat, which planned the ‘revenge attack’ on Muslims
November 2008: The Motorcycle used in the blast was collected as evidence. And Karkare was killed in the 26/11 attack
January 2009: First chargesheet filed by ATS, 11 accused named
July 2009: Special Court drops MCOCA charges against accused
July 2010: Bombay High Court reinstates MCOCA charges
April 2011: NIA takes over the case
2016-2017: NIA files supplementary chargesheet, drops MCOCA charges but retains terror charges; accuses ATS of planting evidence
2017: Purohit gets bail in the Supreme Court; HC grants bail to Sadhvi Pragya
October 2018: Charges formally framed against seven accused
December 2018: Trial begins officially in the Special NIA Court
September 2023: Prosecution closes argument after examining 323 witnesses, 37 of whom turned hostile
19 April 2025: Final arguments conclude, Special NIA Court in Mumbai reserves judgment
31 July 2025: Special NIA Court acquits all seven accused who were on bail, orders Maharashtra government to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to those killed, Rs 50,000 to the injured
NIA Special Judge Abhay Lohati’s quote: Prosecution proved that a blast occurred in Malegaon, but failed to prove that a bomb was placed in a motorcycle
Grounds for acquittal: Benefit of the doubt given to the accused; the prosecution failed to prove that the motorcycle belonged to Sadhvi Pragya and that Lt. Colonel Purohit planted the bomb in it
Key turning point: Prosecution failed to prove that the accused held meetings in Bhopal, Faridabad, and other locations where the idea of forming a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and launching attacks was discussed
-IANS
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On July 27, 2025, popular e-commerce brand Swiggy ran an advertisement in the Jaipur Times to mark the Hindu festival of Hariyali Teej. The ad carried the headline: “Tu Teej Badi Hai Mast Mast.” The phrase, viewed by many as a crass distortion of a devotional occasion, sparked widespread criticism. Several Hindu organizations condemned the campaign, accusing Swiggy of vulgarizing a sacred festival that celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
This incident is not isolated. Between 2016 and 2025, at least 16 major corporate campaigns have come under fire for misrepresenting, mocking, or trivializing Hindu festivals and religious sentiments in the name of marketing. These include instances of cultural appropriation, suggestive slogans, and deliberately provocative imagery used during occasions like Diwali, Holi, Karva Chauth, and others – all sparking backlash for being insensitive and Hinduphobic.
This report compiles these 16 instances, raising serious concerns about the recurring pattern of disrespectful branding tactics targeting Hindu traditions for commercial gain.
#1 Swiggy’s Anti-Hindu Teej Ad
On 27 July 2025, food delivery platform Swiggy published an advertisement in the Jaipur Times with the headline “Tu Teej Badi Hai Mast Mast” to mark the Hindu festival of Hariyali Teej. The festival, which honors the sacred union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was perceived to be mocked through the ad’s suggestive tone.
In the race to harness moment marketing, some brands are losing track. Teej Mata is worshipped on this auspicious day. It is not a meme material. #swiggypic.twitter.com/ohuPBAltoi
The campaign has sparked strong backlash, with several organizations accusing Swiggy of insulting Hindu sentiments and using a sacred occasion for vulgar, attention-seeking marketing.
#2 JK Paper India Demeans Holi as Wasteful
In March 2023, JK Paper India, a paper manufacturing company, released an advertisement portraying Holi as a wasteful festival. The campaign drew sharp criticism for shaming a sacred Hindu celebration while the company itself engages in water-intensive paper production, contributing significantly to environmental degradation.
Transcript of @JKPaperIndia's Hinduphobic ad on #Holi 👉About 4 bln people around the globe live in water scarce areas 👉As many as 1 bln of these people live in India 👉While playing Holi, a person uses at least 2 buckets of water, which means about 30 liters of water is wasted pic.twitter.com/J1OXOxoKd5
The ad was seen as hypocritical and offensive, sparking accusations of Hinduphobia and selective targeting of Hindu traditions.
#3 Bharat Matrimony Calls Holi a Festival of Harassment
On 7 March 2023, Bharat Matrimony released an advertisement conflating Holi with sexual harassment, framing the sacred Hindu festival as unsafe for women. The ad, timed with International Women’s Day (which coincided with Holi that year), was widely condemned as Hinduphobic and misleading.
This Women's Day & Holi, let's celebrate by creating safer and more inclusive spaces for women. It's important to acknowledge the challenges that women face in public spaces and create a society that truly respects their well-being – today & forever.#BharatMatrimony#BeChoosypic.twitter.com/9bqIXZqaXu
— Bharatmatrimony.com (@bharatmatrimony) March 8, 2023
Critics noted that while claiming to raise awareness about women’s safety, the campaign specifically demonised Hindu traditions, while remaining silent or reverent about other religious festivals. The ad remains on Bharat Matrimony’s official X profile, further fueling backlash over its perceived contempt for Hindu cultural practices.
#4 Swiggy’s ‘Holi Egg’ Billboard Sparks Hinduphobia Row
In March 2023, Swiggy faced backlash over a controversial Holi-themed billboard that read: “Omelette; Sunny side-up; Kisi ke sarr par. #BuraMatKhelo. Get Holi essentials on Instamart.” The ad, perceived as mocking Holi traditions, was widely condemned as Hinduphobic for equating the joyful festival with food wastage and disorder. Critics slammed the campaign for moralising against Hindu practices while trivialising religious sentiment. Following widespread outrage, including from public figures, Swiggy removed the billboard.
Swiggy starts campaign to give Hindus gyan on Holi. Starts massive ad campaign with hashtag: #BuraMatKhelo. Same company @Swiggy is also famous for sending non-veg items to some of their customers who are staunch vegetarians & had ordered veg items: Swiggy #BuraMatBhejopic.twitter.com/ywqCpMuNRL
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) March 6, 2023
#5 Viviana Mall Labels Holi as Hooliganism Risk
In 2020, Viviana Mall posted a Holi campaign on Instagram urging people to say no to “hooliganism,” claiming the festival had seen a rise in unsafe behavior. While masked as a message for responsibility, many viewed it as a veiled Hinduphobic swipe at Holi, portraying a joyous Hindu celebration as inherently disorderly.
Critics argued that such concerns should apply universally and not be selectively imposed on Hindu festivals. The campaign, though couched in concern for safety, was seen as part of a growing trend of corporate narratives that subtly demean traditional Hindu practices under the guise of social responsibility.
#6 Livpure Mocks Holi as Wasteful in 2020 Ad
In March 2020, Livpure Pvt Ltd released an advertisement portraying Holi as a wasteful celebration. The ad featured children stealing water balloons from a shop and justifying the act by claiming they were preventing water wastage during Holi. The message implied moral superiority in sabotaging the festival’s traditional celebrations. The company faced backlash for shaming Hindu customs under the pretext of environmentalism. Notably, Livpure disabled comments on their YouTube video to suppress public criticism, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to avoid accountability for hurting Hindu sentiments.
#7 FBB’s 2020 Holi Ad Links Festival to Harassment
On 6 March 2020, FBB released an online video campaign featuring digital influencer Mithila Palkar, aiming to raise awareness about harassment. However, the ad took a controversial turn when it subtly implied that Holi enables inappropriate behavior. Palkar’s line, “par saath hi hogi thodi zor zabardasti, thodi ched chad, thodi manmaani”, was criticized for associating Holi with eve-teasing.
While the campaign intended to highlight consent, critics pointed out it needlessly vilified a sacred Hindu festival, reflecting Hinduphobic undertones. The message, they argued, could have been conveyed without painting Holi in a negative and culturally insensitive light.
#8 Surf Excel Ad Portrayed Holi As A Festival Where Hindus Harass People
In 2019, Unilever faced backlash for its ads that portray Hindu-Muslim harmony during festivals. One ad for Surf Excel detergent showed a Hindu girl protecting a Muslim boy from Holi colours so he could go to the mosque.
#9 Reliance General Insurance Portrays Holi As Festival of Harassment
On 1 March 2018, Reliance General Insurance launched a social media campaign that portrayed Holi as a festival marked by harassment. Through a series of Instagram posters, the company emphasized incidents of eve-teasing associated with Holi. One caption read, “Behind the joyous colors of Holi lies an unfortunate reality. Press and hold to find out what it is. And pledge to ensure this year’s celebrations are truly happy and safe for us all. #HoliNotHooliganism.”
Image Source: OpIndiaImage Source: OpIndia
The campaign drew criticism for contributing to a growing trend among corporate brands of vilifying Hindu festivals through selective messaging.
#10 Deepavali As Smoke Festival – Priyanka Chopra & Radio City
Actors like Priyanka Chopra, who contracted asthma only during Deepavali, made her presence known by requesting every Hindu not to burst crackers to celebrate a green Deepavali.
Radio City used children and their love for crackers to promote a “smoke-free” Deepavali.
These are just a few advertisement campaigns and instances of secularization of the Hindu festival of Deepavali. Thanks to the constant virtue signalling, Hindus are rebelling more and more and celebrating Deepavali like it should be celebrated – with pomp, splendour, sweets, savouries, and lots of crackers!
#11 Deepavali As A Noisy Festival – Tata Motors, Saregama Carvaan
Since Deepavali is said to be a festival of lights, several brands came forward with ad campaigns gaslighting Hindus into not purchasing crackers. The noiseless Deepavali was one of the biggest campaigns that was run by several corporate houses. They gave excuses like make it safe for animals who get scared by the noise or make it noise-free for babies and elderly.
In 2020, Tata Motors launched the ‘Silent Diwali Film’ to promote a safe, pollution-free Diwali while encouraging viewers to adopt electric mobility for a sustainable future. The video contrasted the excitement of lighting firecrackers with the environmental harm they cause, showcasing nature’s beauty amid chaos. It emphasized that the loudest statement can be the quietest, highlighting the Nexon EV, India’s best-selling electric car, which operates with minimal noise.
The most recent one from the corporate stable is GRT group. In an advertisement in print and on their social media, they called for silence and care to make noise this Deepavali!
#12 Sexualizing Navratri/Durga Puja With Condom & Deodarant Ad (Manforce & Wildstone)
A Manforce advertisement featuring Sunny Leone on its poster was released during Navratri to promote condom sales in Gujarat. Later, due to public outrage, the company was forced to withdraw the ad following public outcry. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) urged the then Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan to act against Mankind Pharma and its brand ambassador for misleading consumers.
“Though they have not used the word condom in their banner but the intention is very clear as the combination of words like ‘play’, ‘love’ and ‘Navratri’ are coined above the large logo of Manforce“, CAIT National Secretary Praveen Khandelwal wrote in the letter. The hoarding showed Leone on one side staring at the text written in Gujarati, “Ya Navratriyon Ramo Parantu Prem Thi”- which translates to, “Play during Navratri but with love”, between two dandiya sticks and above the Manforce logo. “Their large banners in cities across Gujarat are shouting out to encourage youths to use Manforce condoms in the name of Navratri festival,” Khandelwal said. Terming the advertisement as “derogatory”, he further said: “This is a clearly irresponsible and immature attempt to boost sales by putting our cultural value system at stake.”
Wild Stone Advertisement Featuring Bengali Women (2007)
Deodorant ads often use sexual imagery and degrade women to extreme levels. Women, for years, have been protesting such obscene portrayals of their sexuality. Wild Stone deodorant was promoted in an advertisement that caused some controversy. Set amidst the backdrop of Durga Puja, it showed a married woman in traditional Bengali attire being drawn to fantasize about having intercourse with another man right after she bumps into him accidentally, courtesy of the “wild” fragrance. The Bengali community got deeply offended by such blasphemy and protested the defamation of their holy celebrations.
#13 Dabur’s Lesbian Karwa Chauth
In 2021, an advertisement by Dabur that showed a lesbian couple celebrating Karwa Chauth landed the brand in trouble. Dabur’s new ad for its bleaching product featured a lesbian couple preparing for their first Karwa Chauth. The ad aimed to normalise same-sex relationships, but it backfired. The LGBTQ community slammed the ad for endorsing a “regressive” festival and a fair-skin obsession. The ad offended both the supporters and the critics of Karwa Chauth. The former disliked the brand’s promotion of fair skin, while the latter denounced the festival as a backward practice.
Well done, Fem/Dabur!
A nice film for a traditional, often-criticized festival by an otherwise conservative brand. pic.twitter.com/gHBTca6jP8
Karwa Chauth has often faced scorn and ridicule from the liberals. Karwa Chauth has often been criticised by the left-liberals as a festival that promotes patriarchy. By contrast, they maintain a deafening silence when it comes to calling out traditions of other religions that are patently racist, misogynistic, and regressive.
#14 The Quint Labels Holi as ‘Terror’, Glorifies Other Religions
On 3 March 2017, The Quintpublished an article titled “Should we allow kids to unleash terror on the streets in the name of Holi?”, linking a joyous Hindu festival with violence and fear.
Image Source: OpIndia
This aligns with a pattern of selective portrayal where The Quint praises Islamic traditions like Ramzan fasting but casts Hindu festivals such as Holi and Navratri in a negative light. While Eid is associated with harmony, Holi is framed as a gateway to “terror.” Such headlines suggest a consistent Hinduphobic bias used to attract engagement and appease its left-leaning readership.
#15 Finolex Ad Labels Holi As Wasteful
On 21 March 2016, Finolex Pipes and Fittings released a digital ad campaign that many Hindus found demeaning towards the festival of Holi. The 10-second video featured the line, “Every drop you save, adds color to someone else’s life,” implicitly framing Holi celebrations as wasteful. While presented as a water conservation message, the ad was seen as selectively targeting Hindu festivals under the guise of social responsibility. Several viewers criticized the brand for its patronizing tone and for singling out Holi, reflecting a broader trend of corporates adopting dismissive attitudes toward Hindu cultural practices.
#16 Domino’s Ganesh Ad Sparks Outrage Over ‘More-Ya’ Wordplay
On 7 September 2024, Domino’s India sparked outrage during Ganesh Chaturthi by emailing customers an ad that many Hindus found blasphemous. The poster featured a pun on the sacred chant “Ganapati Bappa Morya,” altering it to “More-Ya” to promote pizza.
Image Source: Best Media Info
The image even depicted Lord Ganesha with a pizza as His head. Delhi High Court advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a formal complaint, calling the ad offensive and disrespectful to Hindu beliefs. She pledged legal action and shared her statement on social media. The campaign triggered widespread backlash online, with netizens calling for a boycott of Domino’s India.
Similarly, a brand named Ovenstory posted an image of Ganpati Bappa with pizza as His head.
However, this one went unnoticed.
#17 Cracker-Free Deepavali By Tanishq
In 2020, Tanishq encountered significant backlash over a Diwali advertisement featuring actors Neena Gupta, Nimrat Kaur, Sayani Gupta, and Alaya F discussing the significance of the festival. Sayani Gupta’s call for a cracker-free Diwali upset many Hindus on Twitter, resulting in widespread criticism. In light of the negative reactions, Tanishq opted to withdraw the ad.
#18 Urduizing Deepavali By FabIndia
Fabindia drew backlash with its festive collection named ‘Jashn-e-Riwaaz,’ which used Urdu, the language associated with Islamic culture, to promote Diwali attire, sparking a debate over cultural misrepresentation. The ad was later removed from the platform.
Deepavali is not Jash-e-Riwaaz.
This deliberate attempt of abrahamisation of Hindu festivals, depicting models without traditional Hindu attires, must be called out.
In 2019, Brooke Bond faced criticism for an ad depicting a son abandoning his elderly father at the Kumbh Mela. Viewers condemned the storyline for misrepresenting the sacred Hindu gathering, portraying Hindus as neglectful and promoting harmful stereotypes.
Critics argued that the ad demeaned Hindu traditions and contributed to Hindumisia by using a revered cultural event as the backdrop for a narrative of cruelty and abandonment.
#20 Bisleri’s Waterless Holi Campaign Draws Ire
Bisleri, in collaboration with Mumbai Dabbawalas, ran a Holi campaign promoting waterless celebrations. Eco-friendly colors were distributed with tiffin boxes, and company reps handed out colors at toll booths.
Image Source: OpIndia
While framed as an environmental message, the campaign drew criticism for selectively targeting a Hindu festival and projecting Holi as wasteful.
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The administrative branch of the Supreme Court has formally approached the Delhi Transport Department seeking the prompt assignment of a specific vehicle registration number for a newly purchased Mercedes-Benz E220 by former Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
In an official letter dated 28 July 2025, the Deputy Registrar (Transport) of the Supreme Court requested the Transport Commissioner to expedite the allocation of a preferred registration number for the luxury car. The correspondence emphasized the need for swift processing and asked that the registration details be shared with the registrar’s office once completed. Although the exact number sought has not been made public, such customised or “fancy” registration numbers are commonly requested by high-ranking dignitaries, subject to availability and compliance with rules.
Justice Chandrachud, who retired on 10 November 2024, was the 50th Chief Justice of India and is widely recognized for his influential judgments. During his eight-year tenure on the Supreme Court, he contributed to landmark rulings on issues including the Ayodhya land case, the revocation of Article 370, and the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships. He participated in 38 Constitution Benches, significantly shaping India’s legal landscape through progressive interpretations.
