BJP Yuva Morcha president Tejasvi Surya has objected to an ad campaign by apparel brand Fabindia calling Diwali “Jashn-e-Riwaaz”. Tejasvi Surya also said that Fabindia “must face economic costs for such deliberate misadventures”.

“Deepavali is not Jashn-e-Riwaaz. This deliberate attempt of abrahamisation of Hindu festivals, depicting models without traditional Hindu attires, must be called out,” Surya tweeted.

In a tweet on October 9 by Fabindia, some male and female models were shown in saris and kurta pyjamas. The accompanying tweet said, “As we welcome the festival of love and light, Jashn-e-Riwaaz by Fabindia is a collection that beautifully pays homage to Indian culture.”

Chairman of Manipal Global Education Mohandas Pai also tweeted, “Very shameful statement by Fabindia on Deepavali! This is a Hindu religious festival just as Christmas and EID is for others! This kind of statement shows a very deliberate attempt to subvert a religious festival!”