Delhi police book Layer’r for sexist ads after DCW chief’s complaint

The Delhi Police has registered a case towards fragrance model Layer’r for selling rape tradition by way of their ads for Layer’r Shot, a physique spray for males, officers mentioned on Thursday, June 9. The case was registered following a grievance by Delhi Fee For Girls (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal final week. She had additionally written to the Union Minister of Data and Broadcasting (I&B) Anurag Thakur looking for his intervention within the matter. After the letter, the ministry had directed that the commercial be taken off air and social media platforms, the DCW mentioned.

The panel had issued a discover to the Delhi Police asking it to file an FIR towards Layer’r, alleging that the agency’s advertisements promoted gangrape tradition. The corporate had issued an apology earlier this week for the ads whereas stating that they had been aired solely after due and necessary approvals. The model had come beneath fireplace for 2 ads for Layer’r Shot that reportedly aired throughout a cricket match. Social media customers identified that the advertisements trivialise and propagate rape tradition, other than being sexist and misogynist. 

Swati Maliwal filed the grievance with the Delhi Police on June 4, after the advertisements had been extensively shared on social media. “On the grievance of Delhi Fee for Girls Chairperson Swati Maliwal, Particular Cell, Delhi Police has registered an FIR beneath Part 67 IT Act (Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene materials in digital kind) within the matter of misogynistic commercial by Layer’r Shot fragrance model which was just lately performed in mass media,” the DCW mentioned.

“On my grievance, the Delhi Police has registered an FIR within the matter. I hope robust motion is taken towards the homeowners of Layer Shot firm in addition to these concerned in creating and publishing this outrageous commercial on TV, which clearly encourages poisonous masculinity and gang rape,” she mentioned within the discover. She additionally mentioned that she hopes that the I&B ministry will put in place a stringent system in order that such an commercial isn’t performed on TV once more. “Exemplary motion on this matter is required to trigger deterrence towards ads encouraging sexual violence towards ladies and ladies, she added.

Learn: Layer’r Shot body spray ads slammed for promoting rape culture, ASCI takes action

In the meantime, Layer’r has responded to the problem by claiming they didn’t intend to harm anybody’s sentiments. “That is just about our latest two TV ads of Layer’r SHOT on varied broadcasting platforms. We, the model Layer’r SHOT, want to inform every person that solely after due and necessary approvals, we’ve got aired the ads, whereby, we by no means meant to harm anybody’s sentiments or emotions or outrage any ladies’s modesty or promote any kind of tradition, as wrongly perceived by some,” the corporate had earlier mentioned.

That they had mentioned that they’ve voluntarily eliminated the ads from varied platforms.

“Nevertheless, we sincerely apologise for the ads that consequentially brought about rage amongst people and several other communities and beg their pardon. Most significantly, we’ve got voluntarily knowledgeable all our media companions to cease the telecast/broadcasting of each the TV ads from June 4 with fast impact,” the corporate had mentioned within the wake of the controversy.