MAM
The Ad Club stands by Tanishq, condemns online ‘aggression’
NEW DELHI: The advertising industry is putting up a show of support for jewellery brand Tanishq, after the latter was forced to roll back a commercial in the face of widespread outrage on social media.
Earlier today, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) said it disapproved of the targeting of the commercial. Now, The Advertising Club has strongly condemned the threatening and targeting of Tanishq and its employees.
"After the review by our internal team, consisting of multi-sectoral experts we have come to a clear consensus that the ad breaks no ethical standards, is not derogatory to any person organization or religion and does not hurt any national sentiment," it said in a statement.
The advertising body further said that it disapproved of the aggression expressed on online platforms against the brand and found this “baseless and irrelevant attack on creative expression” extremely concerning.
“The Advertising Club upholds the primacy of creative freedom as a fundamental right of the marketing and advertising fraternity and hence disapprove of the approach to stymie that freedom,” it added.
The advertisement in question was also viewed at the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) by an independent panel – The Consumer Complaints Council, which is representative of multiple stakeholders from industry, civil society, lawyers and consumer activists. The panel found nothing in the advertisement that was indecent or objectionable or repulsive that could lead to grave and widespread offence.
The 45-second Tanishq ad on interfaith marriage had triggered a furious backlash on social media. While a section of netizens accused the brand of promoting 'love jihad', others came out in support of it.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
