05 May,2011 06:44 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
Pasumai Thayagam, an NGO in Tamil Nadu, led a protest against India and Chennai Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's appearance in a liquor brand's advertisement outside the Park Sheraton Hotel here yesterday. They were protesting against Dhoni's appearance on hoardings of a reputed liquor brand across the State ufffd at bus stations, Egmore railway station, etc.
Protesters hold up banners against MS Dhoni's liquor adverts in Chennai yesterday
Around 100 activists were detained by police hours before yesterday's Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL match here at Chepauk. Former Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, had written a letter to Dhoni a few days ago, a copy of which is with MiD DAY, to follow in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, who reportedly declined to feature in alcohol advertisements. "It is disturbing to note that your participation in surrogate liquor advertisements ruins the lives of the millions of Indian youth. I hereby request you to reconsider this and withdraw from these ads and thereby save millions of Indian youth," Ramadoss wrote in his letter to Dhoni.
"Every IPL game is advertising alcohol, and we want that to stop. We want an alcohol-free IPL as most liquor ads target youth and children," R Arul, State Secretary of the NGO.
Kalaignar TV, a local TV station here, reported last night that Dhoni had agreed to withdraw appearing in the commercials.
