Ranaragini, a wing of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, files complain with the Goa State Women's Commisison asking the outdoor ads to be removed.
Women's group in Goa files petition against Sunny Leone's condom ads in public spaces
Mumbai - 01 Mar 2017 14:36 IST
Our Correspondent
A women’s group in Goa has demanded that outdoor condom adverts featuring Sunny Leone be removed from state buses. The women’s group, Ranaragini, a wing of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, had complained to the Goa State Women’s Commission asking for the ads to be removed immediately.
The commission has issued a notice to the condom brand in connection with the matter.
The women’s group is of the view that the advertising campaign in public spaces objectifying the feminine gender, was embarrassing to women.
"A different message is conveyed on account of this. This is a very ugly scene," the petition signed by the organisation’s Neha Govekar said.
"We have received complaints about this from many women. We, hereby, kindly request you to remove these pictures. We would like to bring to your kind notice the use of women’s pictures in contraceptive advertisements at public places. It has been observed that there is use of women’s picture in contraceptive ads at public places like the Kadamba Transport Corporation buses and elsewhere," the petition added.
Later, speaking to reporters in Panaji, Govekar said the ads of a popular condom company featuring the actress and former adult film star Leone affixed on the Kadamba Transport Corporation (state transport) buses were objectionable and needed immediate removal.
The group has no reservations over the use of contraceptive pills, but have strongly objected to Leone’s posters.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, the commission’s chairperson Vidya Shet Tanavade said a notice would be issued to all parties concerned.
"We have received the complaint. As a commission, we will issue notices to all parties involved and probe the matter," said Tanavade
Leone is not new to such controversies involving her condom brand. In 2015, senior Communist Party of India leader Atul Anjan had criticised the condom ad deeming it vulgar and even blamed the former adult film star and such ads for inciting sexual crimes against women.
