The corridors of justice witnessed a flurry of activity as the Allahabad High Court issued notices to Bollywood luminaries—Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn—regarding their promotion of Gutka company advertisements. This legal storm originated from a contempt petition, highlighting a contentious issue within the entertainment realm.
The petition, urging action against these acclaimed actors for endorsing gutka products, prompted the central government to respond by serving notices. During the recent court session, the Supreme Court’s consideration of the matter led to suggestions for dismissing the ongoing petition. The following legal rendezvous is slated for May 9, 2024, ensuring a continued legal discourse on this subject.
Adding intrigue to the narrative, Amitabh Bachchan entered the fray by sending a legal notice to a gutka company. His notice followed the broadcasting of his advertisement after the termination of his contract, injecting a new dimension into the evolving legal discourse.
Earlier directives from Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan’s bench urged the central government to address the petitioner’s concerns, stressing the need to curb celebrity endorsements of gutka products. However, purported inaction led the High Court to issue a notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government in response to the contempt petition.
Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey disclosed the Centre’s issuance of show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn, signaling a proactive stance in dealing with the matter.
Amidst this legal uproar, Puri’s Jagannath Temple declared a ban on ‘paan’ and ‘gutka’ consumption effective January 1, 2024. Stringent enforcement of this prohibition applies to devotees, temple workers, and attendants, aligning with the sanctity of the ancient shrine.
The broader landscape of gutka and pan masala bans resurfaced, with the Supreme Court intervening to maintain the prohibition on their sale in Tamil Nadu. The health hazards associated with these products sparked the initial ban by the state. However, a legal clash ensued between the government and tobacco traders, highlighting the intricate legal complexities.
As legal battles unfold and health concerns take center stage, the involvement of Bollywood icons in endorsing such products raises pertinent queries about accountability and the influence of celebrity endorsements on societal behavior and public welfare. This legal saga unravels, spotlighting the nexus between celebrity influence and public interest.
