National Commission for Scheduled Castes sends notice to Zomato, Delhi Police and YouTube over ‘casteist’ advertisement

Q. Why is it in news?

·     The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has now issued a notice to Zomato founder and CEO DeepinderGoyal over an “inhuman” and casteist advertisement that featured a Dalit character from the film Lagaan being used as a table, lamp, watering can, etc. 

·    While the food-delivery platform withdrew its advertisement within days after facing strong backlash from citizens, the commission said it had taken suomotucognisance of the matter and commenced its own inquiries. 

·    The NCSC has also sent copies of the notice to the Commissioner, Delhi Police, and the Grievance Redressal Officer of YouTube India, saying that they launch their own investigations into this episode and submit action taken reports as soon as possible. 

·      According to the notice, the NCSC has asked the Delhi Police if any FIR had been registered in the matter and whether provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had been invoked in the FIR.