SABYASACHI MUKHERJEE RECEIVED A LEGAL NOTICE FROM A LAWYER OVER THE DEPICTION OF "SEMI-NAKED MODELS" IN A MANGAL SUTRA ADVERTISEMENT

On October 28, 2021, Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee received a legal notice from a Mumbai-based lawyer, Advocate Ashutosh J Dubey, over the depiction of "semi-naked models" in a mangal sutra advertisement. The lawyer states that it is obscene and outrageous to the Hindu community and Hindu marriage. The legal notice highlighted that for the Royal Bengal Mangalsutra, a female model is seen in a mangal sutra wearing a black brassiere, and her head rests on a shirtless male model. 

The legal notice stated that the Mangal sutra signifies the unification of two souls. The groom ties the thread around the bride's neck to signify their relationship auspiciously and that they will be mates for their entire lives. Mangal sutra is a sign of marriage; a wife is meant to wear it to indicate the love and commitment between spouses. There is also a scientific justification behind it. Hindu culture insists on wearing mangal sutras made of pure gold and should be hidden behind the inners.

Such photos for the campaign are outrageous and hurt the sentiments of many. The lawyer sent a legal notice and demanded to pull down the offensive depiction and a public apology within 15 days.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal