Goa Government Calls Out Controversial Advertisement

The Goa government has taken strong action against a real estate advertisement by *The House of Abhinandan Lodha, terming it “objectionable” and “obnoxious.” The ad, which carried the caption *”Delhi, rulers of India, now conquer Goa”**, sparked outrage, leading the government to issue a stern notice to the developer, demanding the withdrawal of the advertisement.

Home Department Issues Notice

In a notice sent on Thursday, the Home Department of Goa directed Lodha Ventures, the parent company of The House of Abhinandan Lodha, to remove the controversial ad immediately. The department condemned the ad for hurting the sentiments of the Goan people, stating:

“The above statement in the advertisement is highly objectionable and obnoxious, and has hurt the sentiments of Goan people. You are therefore directed to withdraw the above controversial advertisement immediately and report compliance, failing which, appropriate action will be initiated against you and your agency.”

The issue was first raised by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), which pointed out that such statements, especially the phrase ‘Conquer Goa,’ were unacceptable in light of Goa’s history and the pride its residents take in their independence. The CMO further highlighted that the ad undermined the struggles faced by Goans during Portuguese rule, which ended in 1961.

Lodha Ventures Responds with Apology

In response to the notice, Lodha Ventures issued a public apology for the ad, clarifying that it had been posted by one of its channel partners. The company also confirmed that the advertisement was removed from the partner’s website on July 31.

In their statement, Lodha Ventures expressed regret:

“We sincerely apologise for the hurt caused to the sentiments of the people of Goa. We deeply respect the culture and heritage of Goa and we are extremely grateful for the support and hospitality extended to us by the people of Goa.”

Fallout and Future Actions

The Goa government has warned that failure to comply with the notice would result in legal action. Meanwhile, the realty group has assured full cooperation and compliance, and the ad has already been withdrawn as per their statement.

The House of Abhinandan Lodha has sought to move past the controversy by emphasising their respect for Goa’s rich cultural heritage and the people’s long-standing support for their projects. However, the incident has raised concerns about the sensitivity of promotional content, especially when dealing with regions that have a rich historical and cultural background.