A day after several Twitter users took offence to an ad promoting Hindu-Muslim harmony by Surf Excel and trended #BoycottSurfExcel, several social media users also came out in support.
A day after several Twitter users took offence to an ad promoting Hindu-Muslim harmony by Surf Excel and trended #BoycottSurfExcel, several social media users also came out in support.
Released on February 27, the video has already managed to gather around 7,737,800 views on YouTube. On Twitter, however, the campaign has faced the wrath of users who feel that the ad is ‘Hindu phobic' and ‘controversial’ and wants to showcase that ‘Namaaz is more important than Holi.’
While many are raising objections over the theme, there are few who are appreciating the advertisement and the message behind it.
“A adv with right message... We don't need to celebrate other religion festival for being friendly. Everybody has full right to celebrate their festival. "for you is your religion, and for me is my religion" #Secular #SurfExcel,” a tweet read.
“The ad resonate with consumers by ringing true, personally positive & inclusive message! It conveys the exhilaration of soaring emotionally for progressive minds! But an extremely empowering notion everyone can relate to is missing due to its incompleteness #SurfExcel #Ad,” wrote another user.
“There is nothing wrong in this ads. Why people take everything so seriously and make unnecessary interpretation .just cool always think simply,” another tweet read.
This is not the first time Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has faced flack for the plotline of their advertisement.
Earlier this year, HUL Kumbh Mela advertisement had irked several Twitter users. In the ad, a son contemplates abandoning his aged father in the crowd, but soon realises his mistake and comes back to him.
Soon after the ad was shared on the HUL twitter handle, people objected to it by saying it hurt sentiments of Hindus and portrayed the festival in wrong light.
1. Twitter reacts
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I am buying 2 extra 2 kilo pack of #SurfExcel for reminding us that we are nice people. And live naturally in relative harmony. And, kids know no barriers, until they are taught.
— Harini Calamur (@calamur) March 10, 2019
It will last me 6 months. but it is worth it to defeat haters.
It's a beautiful ad. Shame on the bigots who are against it. #SurfExcel stand up against these communal idiots! https://t.co/IHOQo5ebgJ
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) March 10, 2019
Proud to have been a part of the #SurfExcel Holi commercial. An amazing and a brave team behind this!
— Vasan (@Vasan_Bala) March 10, 2019
Unfortunately to convey compassion, tolerance and love one needs to be brave these days.
2. 'Protest is narrow minded'
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This beautiful Ad has angered Sanghis and they want to Boycott #SurfExcel. There are some things Surf Excel cant clean. The Filthy Mind of Indian RW is one of them pic.twitter.com/XLAijY3OSE
— Joy (@Joydas) March 10, 2019
DO NOT SHARE THIS ADD!
— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) March 10, 2019
Boycott #SurfExcel!
How dare they show colour, love, laughter, masti, innocence, cultural respect, bonding, bonhomie ....ALL IN ONE MINUTE?
THIS WASHES OUT ALL THE WORK THAT WE HAVE PUT IN! ARE WE IDIOTS?
I REPEAT DO NOT SHARE THIS AD!#BhaktBanerjee pic.twitter.com/xDMrnF3GoC
Protest against this beautiful and heart-warming #SurfExcel ad is so narrow-minded.
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) March 10, 2019
India needs 1000s of such creative expressions to promote the noble ideal of Hindu-Muslim harmony.
Hinduism khatre mein nahin hai; Communalism khatre mein hai! pic.twitter.com/dxCHQNKNLH
3. 'What twisted minds'
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This ad of #SurfExcel can only make communal people angry. Not anyone who likes to live in peace and harmony. pic.twitter.com/ICCJLtdqtZ
— Fahad Shah (@pzfahad) March 10, 2019
Seriously?! This has a bunch of people angry? What twisted minds #surfexcel https://t.co/8vESdbQFYu
— Gargi Rawat (@GargiRawat) March 10, 2019
4. 'Pretty sure #SurfExcel sales will spike'
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I am pretty sure #SurfExcel sales will spike this month
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 10, 2019
The ad is beautiful example of peaceful coexistence of religious sentiments! The best part is the little girl asking the boy to play holi after he is done with the prayers! Now , dear Bhakts! what is so controversial in that#SurfExcel
— Kranthiquotes (@kranthimirinda) March 10, 2019
