Payel Halder, Mumbai Uncensored, 25th February, 2023:
Kotak Mahindra Bank has withdrawn its new ‘811’ campaign ad featuring comedian Tanmay Bhat after social media uproar over his decade-old demeaning tweet about Lord Ganesha and child rape. Bhat’s tweets have outraged netizens, but the same lobby that touts freedom of expression and seeks censure when convenient has remained silent.
Despite scathing criticism of the offensive and perverse ten-year-old tweets, the Lobby has been hesitant to comment on or condemn Bhat’s old tweets, which forced Kotak Mahindra Bank to withdraw its campaign. Responding to the backlash, the bank tweeted that it does not endorse or support the actor’s views and withdrew the campaign.
Several netizens highlighted Bhat’s past tweets on child rape and asked Kotak Mahindra Bank if it reflects its brand values. Shefali Vaidya, who was one of the first people to point out Bhat’s offensive tweet, said, “How can a brand like Kotak, which has customers from all sections of Indian society, have someone like Tanmay Bhat, who has made offensive tweets about children? He also made sick tweets about Lord Ganesha. It is too disgusting for me to even read.”
Another Twitter user, Monica Verma, threatened to close her bank account and demanded that Kotak Mahindra Bank discontinue its association with Bhat and apologize.
This is not the first time Tanmay Bhat has found himself in controversy. In 2016, his video superimposing the faces of late singer Lata Mangeshkar and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was condemned by netizens. Mumbai Police had also asked Facebook and Youtube to take down the video. Later, in October 2018, Bhat was under attack for his not taking action on the complaints against another comedian during the #MeToo movement.
