Global chicken fast-food chain Nando’s is facing backlash in India after it published an advertisement in English newspaper Hindustan Times which encouraged customers to “touch our buns or breasts, or even our thighs”.
The full page ad reads: “Try something you can grab with both hands. We don’t mind if you touch our buns, or breasts, or even our thighs. Whatever you’re into, enjoying any Nando’s meal with your hands is always recommended.”
People took to Twitter to express their outrage:
Dear #Nando‘s is your food so inedible that you have to rely on lines from a bad C grade movie to sell it? pic.twitter.com/q4eoXRJt1V
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 26, 2016
Disgraceful, disgusting!! Objectification of women is a trend in India! Shameless advertising by @NandosIndia pic.twitter.com/loFD1EGhiG
— Shveta Rajput (@shvetarajput) March 26, 2016
Dear @NandosIndia what kind of add is this seriously. What Are You Smoking These Days? #failpic.twitter.com/O0ew7QNapL
— Commando Dhruv (@gaurdhruv03) March 28, 2016
.@NandosIndia disgusting, disappointing, disturbing, absolute rubbish# u need sensible marketers @unwomenindia pic.twitter.com/TL8VtKUXQM
— Nishtha Satyam (@SatyamNishtha) March 26, 2016
This is so unethical! #NandosIndia #Poormarketing #badtaste #trysomethingnew #betterlucknexttime pic.twitter.com/ejv7iR5q4W
— ☆ Saloni Madhok ☆ (@SaloniMadhok22) March 26, 2016
Nando’s has taken to social media to say sorry for the ad:
[fb_embed_post href=”https://www.facebook.com/NandosIndia/photos/a.158079000878263.34784.157583377594492/1137270519625768/?type=3&theater/” width=”550″/]
We sincerely apologise for any offense caused by our ad published today. Our intent was not to offend anyone. We promise to do better.
— Nando’s India (@NandosIndia) March 26, 2016
A 2011 study found nearly one in four Indian men surveyed admitted to raping. Back in 2012, six men in Delhi gang raped a young woman on a bus; she later died from her injuries. One of the six rapists claimed the victim was responsible for the attack because “a decent girl won’t roam around at 9 o’clock at night.”
