As Users Call It ‘Hinduphobic’, Swiggy Takes Down ‘Holi Egg’ Billboards

New Delhi: One of India’s top food delivery applications–Swiggy on Tuesday decided to take its latest ‘Holi egg’ billboards down after facing the ire of users over the advertisement.

Featuring eggs, the billboard read, “Omelette; Sunny side-up; Kisi ke sarr par. #BuraMatKhelo. Get Holi essentials on Instamart”, suggesting that eggs must be consumed and not smashed on someone’s head.

The advertisement soon went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms along with the hashtag #HinduPhobicSwiggy. While some users said they should be allowed to celebrate Holi the way they wanted to, others supported the message of not wasting food.

ISCKON Vice-President Radharaman Das criticised the food delivery company and tweeted, “Swiggy starts campaign to give Hindus gyan on Holi. Starts massive ad campaign with hashtag: #BuraMatKhelo. Same company @Swiggy is also famous for sending non-veg items to some of their customers who are staunch vegetarians & had ordered veg items: Swiggy #BuraMatBhejo”

“Swiggy’s attempt to defame Holi is highly unacceptable. We demand the immediate removal of the Holi billboard & reel. They must issue a public apology for the insensitive behaviour,” wrote one user.

“Swiggy’s attempt to defame Holi through their billboard and reel is an act of disrespect towards Hindu culture. Why is there a lack of similar Ads on Christmas/Eid? We demand Swiggy to apologise and remove them immediately,” stated a user on Twitter.
As the controversy raged and several users exited the app, Swiggy decided to take down the Holi billboards.

However, several users came out in support and said there was nothing wrong with the advertisement. A user said this was a positive advertisement and that food wastage should be avoided.