Food delivery giant Zomato has found itself in the middle of another controversy again. It started with Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker pointing out that Zomato’s ads were displayed on Arnab Goswami's Republic TV.
Swara said that being a loyal user, she wasn’t okay with her “money even indirectly funding this kind of communal bigoted hate!”
She tweeted: “Hey @zomatoin @zomato @deepigoyal I’m your regular customer.. do u plan to #DefundTheHate & pull your ads from hate espousing channels like @Republic_Bharat ? I’m not okay with my money even indirectly funding this kind of communal bigoted hate! Pls let your consumers know.”
Hey @zomatoin @zomato @deepigoyal I’m your regular customer.. do u plan to #DefundTheHate & pull your ads from hate espousing channels like @Republic_Bharat ? I’m not okay with my money even indirectly funding this kind of communal bigoted hate! Pls let your consumers know.. https://t.co/mMacP8IawZ
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 18, 2020
Last month, brands like Bajaj Auto and Parle blacklisted news channels citing they do not want to be associated with platforms that are "a source of toxicity in the society".
Zomato commented on the post with, “Hi Swara, please note, we don’t endorse any content except our own. That being said, we are looking into this.”
A section of netizens were quick to target Swara and also threatened to boycott Zomato.
Hey @zomatoin @zomato @deepigoyal @zomatocare this is your big moment... this is your big test... decide who is your customer base... these Chinese #UrbanNaxals or REAL INDIANS. Come on, your time starts now. We, Indians, are watching.
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 18, 2020
All those who are watching, raise your hand. https://t.co/4QtvOYOo3u
Hello Zomato @zomato @zomatocare THE NUMBER OF US NATIONALISTS who WATCH @Republic_Bharat IS MORE than the handful this Swara Bhasker leads. Lets Us know what u plan so WE ALSO CAN LOOK into what to do. If you pull out your ads WE BOYCOTT YOU #Zomato #SwaraBhasker #boycottzomato https://t.co/HqTvErtcBw
— Rosy (@rose_k01) November 18, 2020
You choose Swara, we choose Swiggy. Deal 🤝 https://t.co/ufwSf0jW1Z
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) November 18, 2020
