New Delhi: Bharat Matrimony’s latest video ad on the occasion of Holi has sparked a debate, with many accusing the matrimonial website of hurting their religious sentiments. The video released on March 8, also marking International Women’s Day, shows how the harassment faced by women during Holi traumatizes them and prevents them from celebrating the festival of colours.
Bharat Matrimony tweeted the 75-second clip video with the caption: “This Women’s Day and Holi, let’s celebrate by creating safer and more inclusive spaces for women. Acknowledging the challenges women face in public spaces and creating a It’s important to build societies that truly respect their well-being – today and forever.”
This Women’s Day and Holi, let’s celebrate by creating a safer and more inclusive space for women. It is important to acknowledge the challenges women face in public spaces and to create a society that respects their well-being today and forever.#BharatMatrimony #BeChoosy pic.twitter.com/9bqIXZqaXu— bharatmatrimony.com (@bharatmatrimony) March 8, 2023
The video shows a woman with her face covered with different colours, washing her face to get rid of the Holi colours. Bruises are visible beneath his colorful face. And the caption reads: “Some colors don’t wash out easily.”
“A third of women who have faced this trauma have stopped playing Holi.” Twitter users accused the matrimonial website of hurting religious sentiments and linking a festival with an important issue.
One user wrote, “You people are absolutely disgusting. How dare you associate a social message with the Hindu festival of Holi.” Another wrote, “Disappointing to see you are linking our festivals with harassment. Let’s celebrate diversity and respect each other’s culture and faith. Let’s spread love, not hate.”
You guys are absolutely despicable. How dare you link a social message with the Hindu festival Holi? What does domestic violence have to do with Holi? Have you lost your mind? You obviously don’t want Hindu customers. BTW, you should pay attention to what happens on your awesome site. Priya Rana (PriyaKumariRana) March 8, 2023
Another user tweeted, “Boycott BharatMatrimony, it is a shame on BharatMatrimony that Hindu festivals like Holi are used to drive their social awareness agenda.”
Even as the video soon went viral and triggered a massive uproar, some people also came out in support of the ad.
“It is indeed very brave of @bharatmatrimony. Festivals cannot and should not be a painful experience. Respect and consent is important and what better than #WomensDay to send this message to all the men who abuse women harm and insult them.” tweeted a user.
Another tweeted, “Some people are very angry on this video. But thank you @bharatmatrimony for raising this sensitive topic. Illiterate people neither understand nor want to understand.”
A day earlier online food delivery app Swiggy was also called out by netizens over Instamart’s billboard advertisement.
The billboard features eggs and reads, “Omelette; Sunny side-up; On someone’s head. Play #BuramaatKhelo. Get Holi essentials on Instamart.”