Many users of gay dating app Grindr in India are reporting that ads of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali products are being shown to them inside the app. Baba Ramdev, who started off as a Yoga Guru before diversifying to FMCG products, has consistently opposed homosexuality and claims that he can cure homosexuality through Yoga. He was also one of the petitioners who had approached the Supreme Court to recriminalise homosexuality and reinstate Section 377.
The ad appearing on Grindr advertises his Patanjali range of products and urge people to boycott foreign companies and pledge support for Swadeshi products of Patanjali, whose profits go for charity. The ads have irked many users of Grindr in India. Moulee tweeted his anger to Grindr and asked: “Where is your commitment for the community. Why would you carry an ad of a product run by a homophobic religious person who thinks that homosexuality can be cured. Is Grindr supporting conversion therapy endorsed by this entity?”
Dear @Grindr where is your commitment for the community. Why would you carry an ad of a product run by a homophobic religious person -1 pic.twitter.com/Vg62ohP0Hr
— moulee (@BumpAhead) August 8, 2017
Who thinks that homosexuality can be cured -2 pic.twitter.com/IIDlyG4OLR
— moulee (@BumpAhead) August 8, 2017
Is @Grindr supporting conversion therapy endorsed by this entity?
— moulee (@BumpAhead) August 8, 2017
However, this is not the first time that ads by a homophobic person or group have appeared on Grindr. In 2014, before the general elections, ads by BJP too could be seen on Grindr, and had irked a lot of its users since many people in BJP had come out in support of the Supreme Court verdict reinstating Sec 377.
We reached out to Grindr for its comments, but haven’t heard from them for over 48 hours. The post would be updated if and when Grindr replies back with an official statement.