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Social Media Uproar Over Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar's 'Dowry Promoting’ Road Safety Ad

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After the death of Indian industrialist Cyrus Mistry earlier this month in a car crash, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced plans... 12.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-12T11:12+0000

2023-06-20T09:42+0000

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A new road safety advertisement featuring Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has sparked social media uproar for allegedly promoting dowry, a practice which is outlawed in a number of countries including India.On Friday, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari shared a new commercial promoting having six airbags in cars.In the video, Kumar, portraying a cop, can be seen taunting a bride's father for allegedly sending his daughter and son-in-law in a newly purchased car with only two airbags instead of six.In India, any amount of money, gifts, vehicles or property that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom is considered to be dowry, and is strictly prohibited, with those giving or receiving liable to up to six months imprisonment or a fine over INR 5,000 ($62.75).In response to the ad, people took to social media to slam the commercial makers, demanding that they roll back the advertisement.Likewise, politician Priyanka Chaturvedi called the advertisement “problematic” and hit out at the creative team for passing ideas that end up promoting "the evil and criminal act of dowry.” For his part, Saket Gokhale, national spokesperson for Trinamool Congress, said it was "disgusting" to see the Indian government officially promoting dowry.

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Social Media Uproar Over Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar's 'Dowry Promoting’ Road Safety Ad

11:12 GMT 12.09.2022 (Updated: 09:42 GMT 20.06.2023)

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar addresses a press conference ahead of the release of his film Kesari in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, March 15, 2019 - Sputnik International, 1920, 12.09.2022

Sangeeta Yadav

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After the death of Indian industrialist Cyrus Mistry earlier this month in a car crash, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced plans to introduce new rules for cars to carry six airbags.

On Friday, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari shared a new commercial promoting having six airbags in cars.

In the video, Kumar, portraying a cop, can be seen taunting a bride's father for allegedly sending his daughter and son-in-law in a newly purchased car with only two airbags instead of six.

In India, any amount of money, gifts, vehicles or property that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom is considered to be dowry, and is strictly prohibited, with those giving or receiving liable to up to six months imprisonment or a fine over INR 5,000 ($62.75).

In response to the ad, people took to social media to slam the commercial makers, demanding that they roll back the advertisement.

6 एयरबैग वाले गाड़ी से सफर कर जिंदगी को सुरक्षित बनाएं।#राष्ट्रीय_सड़क_सुरक्षा_2022 #National_Road_Safety_2022 @akshaykumar pic.twitter.com/5DAuahVIxE
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 9, 2022

Likewise, politician Priyanka Chaturvedi called the advertisement “problematic” and hit out at the creative team for passing ideas that end up promoting "the evil and criminal act of dowry.” For his part, Saket Gokhale, national spokesperson for Trinamool Congress, said it was "disgusting" to see the Indian government officially promoting dowry.

Road safety advertisement featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar faces flak for promoting dowry

Road safety advertisement featuring Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar faces flak for promoting dowry