Brands
#BoycottTanishq trends on Twitter for the second time
MUMBAI: After a big controversy over its Ekatvam (oneness) ad about an interfaith marriage, netizens have once again raised calls to 'Boycott Tanishq' on Twitter following the release of a 'no-firecracker Diwali' film by the jewellery brand. The latest ad features actors Neena Gupta, Alaya Furniturewala, Nimrat Kaur and Sayani Gupta.
In the video, the ladies are seen talking about the importance of being together with family, mithai, food and celebrating the festival of lights without any firecrackers. What did not go down well with netizens is the definition of Diwali by Sayani Gupta. She says in the ad, "I am hoping to be able to meet my mum after really long. Definitely no firecrackers, I don't think anyone should light any firecrackers. But a lot of diyas, lot of laughter hopefully and lot of positivity."
Teach a lesson to @TanishqJewelry
Majority Indians are thinking to take @TanishqJewelry head on & #ThisDiwali_BoycottTanishq
Many'll refrain themselves from buying anything from them.
They termed Hindus as violent in their apology last month
Let's show them our legal might pic.twitter.com/qXPVQQEOGG
— SantySingh6791 (@singh6791) November 10, 2020
On this, certain sections of social media criticized the brand for advising Hindus on how to celebrate the festival. BJP national general secretary from Karnataka CT Ravi lashed out at the jewellery brand and said, "Why should anyone advise Hindus how to celebrate our festivals? Companies must focus on selling their products, not lecture us to refrain from bursting crackers. We will light lamps, distribute sweets and burst green crackers. Please join us. You will understand Ekatvam," taking a dig at Tanishq's eponymous campaign.
Sayani Gupta took to Twitter to react to the controversy and the #BoycottTanishq trend and said, "Just witnessing how a universal issue of Air Pollution (at a terrible level right now especially in Delhi and NCR), getting politicised and bigotted in the name of religion!! Unbelievable!! What have they done to our country! This is what systemic hate does to people. #astounded."
Amid this widespread backlash, Tanishq withdrew the ad partially. The 50-second commercial has been withdrawn from Twitter and YouTube, but continues to be on the company's Instagram page.
Last month, the outrage brigade had accused the jewellery brand of promoting what they called 'love jihad' through an ad campaign.
The Tanishq 'Love Jihad' ad that has now been taken down. Disgusting! pic.twitter.com/QuS1XBTVIO
— Kashyap B (@YearOfTheKraken) October 12, 2020
Tanishq crafted a digital film that depicted the story of a Hindu woman, married into a Muslim family. In the advert, the young woman, expecting her first child, is escorted to the garden by her gracious mother-in-law for a baby shower ceremony. The young woman is surprised to see that the ceremony has been organised as per Hindu rituals. She asks her mother-in-law, "Par yeh rasam toh aapke ghar mein nahi hoti hai na? (But this ceremony is not celebrated at your place, isn't it?)," and is told, "Bitiya ko khush karne ki rasam toh har ghar mein hoti hai na? (The ceremony to make the daughter happy is held in every house, isn't it?)."
Brands
Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
