Shopping website to change ‘offensive’ logo after social activist goes to cops

The cybercrime police station at BKC. File pic

E-Commerce website Myntra changed its logo after an Andheri-based NGO submitted a written complaint with Mumbai police's Cyber Cell claiming that the logo is derogatory and insulting towards women. The NGO has demanded action against the company for using the logo on its website, app, and packaging. According to the Cyber Cell, they received a complaint from Avesta Foundation which is run by women's activist Naaz Patel.

"The complainant had been raising this issue for three years on various forums. There had been social media outrage over the logo being offensive to women," said Rashmi Karandikar, DCP, Cyber. Patel claimed that the logo resembles a naked woman.

Karandikar first heard Patel's complaint to understand how the logo is offensive and then summoned Myntra officials for a meeting. "After the meeting, Myntra agreed to change its logo. After a few days, they sent an email saying that the process of changing the logo has been initiated," Karandikar said.

"Pursuant to our meeting, we wish to inform you that we have decided to revise the Myntra Logo (copy of revised attached). While we will soon take necessary steps to revise the logo on the website and the App, your good self will appreciate that we have physical preprinted material (including Packaging and Marketing Material) with existing logo across India. As such, we will use the new logo in the new packaging and marketing material after exhausting the said inventory," Myntra told the Cyber Cell in its email.

Myntra did not release a statement in the matter till the time of going to press.

"We welcome and appreciate the steps taken by Myntra, However, we want Myntra to withdraw all products having "alleged logo" forthwith. We also appeal to actors such as Hritik Roshan, Alia Bhat and others who are advertising for Myntra to refrain from promoting Myntra's objectionable logo else appropriate legal action would be initiated against all," said Adv. Rakesh Rathod, representing Avesta Foundation.