OYO Rooms, the Ritesh Aggarwal-led hospitality unicorn, has found itself in a soup, as one of the company’s advertisements has drawn attention and some undesirable wrath from religious groups.
OYO Ad Stirs Controversy
The company published a half-coat advertisement in a Hindi daily, which carried a caption, ‘Bhagwan Har Jagah hai’, meaning God or almighty is everywhere. Below this text in large font, another text was carried in the ad, which read, ‘Aur OYO bhi’.
Meaning, ‘and so is OYO,’ or simply put, just like God, OYO is also everywhere.
This has now drawn the ire of Hindu religious groups.
It is being reported that these groups find this apparent comparison of OYO to God and the ubiquitousness of both insulting and offensive to religious sentiments.
As per reports from Bharat Samachar, a Hindi publication, these groups are now gearing up to take to the streets, to protest against this ostensible affront caused to the religion, although no religion was specified in this said advertisement.
It is also being reported that these groups may also take legal action against the company, which has a valuation over USD 2 billion.
OYO’s Change In Image
This comes at a time of a larger pivot in the Ritesh Aggarwal-led company’s approach and business.
Last year, the company announced another video campaign that targeted a different audience, that has apparently abstained from using its services, families.
Did we have you in the first half? https://t.co/zQCFEKEXez@oyorooms @thetanmay pic.twitter.com/ypeZko4F8b
— Ritesh Agarwal (@riteshagar) June 9, 2024
It has tried to establish itself as a “family-friendly” enterprise, that caters to all. This has been a notable departure from its previous posturing, or natural association with unmarried couples, or just couples, particularly individuals belonging to the younger generation at large.
This is something that carved a certain image for the company.
Not just that, recently, the company also brought in a new rule, in some parts of the country, according to which, permission to stay for unmarried couples, would be down to the discretion of partner hotels. These hotels therefore, depending upon the customs and regional aspects, have the right to reject accommodation to such individuals.
When its comes to this current controversy, the company is yet to react to the matter.
