Bengaluru: Rasam Ad On KSRTC Busses Divides Internet, Here's People React

An advertisement pinned on Bengaluru buses for instant rasam paste sparked an argument among social media users. The Rasam paste ad shows a confused man saying "Wife North Indianaaa?" It suggests a fast way to make South Indian soup.

A social media user, Tejas Dinkar shared a picture of the ad and said it was rude and unfair to people from North and South India. He thinks it's not right because it's making fun of where someone's wife is from.

Sharing the picture of the advertisement behind a bus on micro-blogging site X, Dinkar wrote, "Today in ads that manage to be sexist while also insulting both North and South India."

His post received more than 199.5k views and comments, sparking a discussion on social media platforms. Some agreed with Dinkar, thinking the ad was offensive, while others suggested it might promote unity by highlighting matrimonial connections between the two regions.

Here are a few reactions from social media users:

A user on X called the ad "stereotypical".

Another user said, "Not sure if it's offensive to the millions where the wife is a north Indian homemaker. We need to stop taking offense at every opportunity."

"Next time when you see an ad where the guy opens the car doors for the girl or lifts all the luggage during travel, please show up with the same sexist cries because only opportunist hypocrites show the double standards," said a netizen.

"Aw, come on. We really need some broader minds here. Take life a little more easy please instead of taking offense at anything and everything. Poor stereotyping, probably yes, but what's sexist or north/ south insult in this?" said a user in defense of the advertisement.