FMCG major Hindustan Unilever is facing a backlash on social media platforms after an advertisement by the company on their tea brand, Brooke Bond Red Label, showed Kumbh Mela as a "place where old people get abandoned".

#BoycottHindustanUnilever is trending on Twitter after the FMCG major posted an advertisement, that has since been deleted, saying: "Kumbh Mela is a place where old people get abandoned, isn't it sad that we do not care for our elders? Red Label encourages us to hold the hands of those who made us who we are: An eye opener to a harsh reality".

The video along with the post showed an elderly father getting abandoned by his son at the Kumbh Mela. Later, the son returns to his father with a cup of tea.

The tweet was taken down by the company after it faced a lot of flak and posted a new video saying: "RedLabelChai encourages us to hold the hands of those who made us who we are. Watch the heart-warming video".

.@RedLabelChai encourages us to hold the hands of those who made us who we are. Watch the heart-warming video #ApnoKoApnao pic.twitter.com/P3mZCsltmt

— Hindustan Unilever (@HUL_News) March 7, 2019

The advertisement, as per the company's view, is to promote and show the importance of familial ties. However, Twitter users did not take this advertisement to their stride. The FMCG major was criticised for its 'insensitivity'. Some users went to the extent of taking a vow to never buy HUL products again.

Here's how the Twitter users reacted:

Just cancelled my order of redlabelchai and bought Tata tea#BoycottHindustanUnilever u suckers i will never buy ur products again

— CASahab (@iJDsaab) March 7, 2019

So @HUL_News too joins the list of brands in the shit-list.Surprising that such corporates don't game the potential loss of business when pushing such borderline bigoted campaigns.Even more surprising is the fact that the tweet with the ad is STILL up!#BoycottHindustanUnilever

— Harpreet (@CestMoiz) March 7, 2019

The company is still facing criticism over this advertisement as many believe that it hurt religious beliefs.

First Published:Mar 7, 2019 3:54 PM IST