‘Girlfriend can give 0% interest’: Chennai Metro FD ad flagged DMK MP launches row | Today’s news
A fixed deposit-related ad shown on a metro in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, has become a political flashpoint in the southern state after DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian said it “depicts women as objects”.
An advertisement promoting the financial investment of the cooperative credit company THECOS compared its interest rates with those allegedly offered by a female friend.
“Girlfriend can give 0% interest”
The institution said that “girlfriend can give 0% interest”, using this note to highlight the returns available to its customers.
The DMK MP shared a picture of an ad displayed in the metro and asked how the Chennai Metro Rail management allowed such an ad.
“The advertisement displayed inside the Chennai Metro Rail which demeans women and portrays them as objects is shocking. It is imperative to ensure that advertisements in public places consider the dignity of women,” Thangapandian said.
“It is questionable how Chennai Metro Rail management allowed such advertisement. I request that this advertisement be removed immediately and appropriate action be taken to prevent such advertisements from appearing in future,” it added.
The ad also drew a response from AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, who called for legal action against those responsible.
Sathyan objected to the language used in the ad, saying that such a message crosses the line of acceptable expression. He argued that freedom of speech cannot be used by advertisers as a justification for demeaning comments about people based on their gender.
“Looking at the content I’m at a loss for words. This is clearly outrageous modesty of a woman which is punishable by law. Just because an ad gives you freedom of expression doesn’t mean you can go to the extent of degrading someone on the basis of gender,” he said.
He further questioned the practice of using deliberately provocative statements as a way to arouse public interest and draw attention to advertising.
“Gathering eyeballs doesn’t mean you have the right to humiliate someone. Grabbing eyeballs doesn’t mean you can use derogatory messages about gender or another person. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
Who placed the ad?
The organization behind the advertisement is also identified as Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation Ltd Employees’ Cooperative Credit Society (TTCECS).
The company describes itself as “a trusted financial institution serving the economic needs of transport employees across Tamil Nadu”.
