Advertisers of Euro Fashion Innerwear were Wednesday asked by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to withdraw an advertisement featuring roosters, saying it depicted the birds in a bad light.
The directive came in response to a complaint by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation (FIAPO) against the print advertisement that depicted nude men holding roosters to cover their privates with a tagline: "What's your size?"
FIAPO said the advertisement violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and called it distasteful and vulgar.
ASCI said the advertisement contravened Chapter II of the ASCI Code. Its consumer complaints council (CCC) concluded that the advertisement was indecent, vulgar and repulsive.
"We are indeed delighted at this order. While Euro Fashion had defended itself when we had sent them a complaint, this order for withdrawal proves that animals should not be shown in such poor light," Arpan Sharma, CEO, FIAPO, said.
The advertisers were not available for comment.