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Prakash Raj was dragged to court over a bigot advertisement. A jewellery brand’s series of teaser advertisements used the term ‘tension’ referring to women in marriageable age.

A Public Interest Litigation was filed seeking to take an action on actor Prakash Raj, in the Madras High Court. The litigation was an objection to the advertisement that was “degrading and demeaning” girls and women in the marriageable age. Prakash endorsed the ad.

The issue was mentioned by the petitioner S. Safiath of Villivakkam before a Division Bench. T.S. Sivagnanam and G. Chockalingam, who comprised the bench, directed the court staff to help the petitioner to get a petition number.

Safiath wanted the Chennai Police Commissioner to take action towards the removal of hoardings of the objectionable advertisement in which women and girls of marriageable age are called ‘tension’ instead of girl. This is said to be degrading and demeaning. Moreover, the petitioner sought to ban the broadcast of Prakash Raj-endorsed TV commercials in all leading channels.

It was also sought that the company should be stopped from advertising the ad in newspapers and press. Besides, the Chennai Police Commissioner should act against Prakash Raj and the company, which treated women disrespectfully.

-Sumana