KOLKATA/BHOPAL: Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee on Sunday withdrew his controversial Mangalsutra ad campaign featuring models in “intimate apparel” following a BJP lawyer’s legal notice and a barrage of criticism, including MP home minister Narottam Mishra’s warning that the police would file an FIR and go after him if he didn’t scrap the “objectionable” content within 24 hours.
“In the context of making heritage and culture a dynamic conversation, the Mangalsutra campaign aimed to talk about inclusivity and empowerment. The campaign was intended as a celebration and we are deeply saddened that it has instead offended a section of our society. So we at Sabyasachi have decided to withdraw the campaign,” the designer said in an Instagram story.
Mishra’s ultimatum came a day after Ashutosh Dubey, legal advisor to Maharashtra BJP, slapped a legal notice on Sabyasachi.”I have warned earlier, and I am issuing a personal warning to Sabyasachi Mukherjee. I’m giving him an ultimatum of 24 hours to withdraw the ad or else an FIR will be registered against him, legal action will be taken, and force will be sent,” Mishra said.
The home minister, who is also the state government’s spokesperson, said he had seen the advertisement and found it “blatantly” objectionable.