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Axis Bank Tries To Christianize Navratri Celebrations By Inserting Santa Claus In Promo Video, Deletes Video From X Handle After Backlash

admin | September 23, 2025 5:22 PM CST

Axis Bank has sparked widespread outrage with its new advertisement campaign, Dil Se Open Celebration 2025, for featuring Santa Claus amid Navratri Garba celebrations and Diwali lights.

The ad, released on the occasion of Navratri, shows a Garba dance in full swing when Santa Claus suddenly makes an appearance to promote Axis Bank's credit card and EMI offers, running from Navratri through Diwali and extending to Christmas. In the advertisement, Santa, typically associated with Christmas, appears in the midst of Hindu festivals, seemingly to convey a message of "festivals belong to everyone" and "celebrations should transcend religious boundaries." Many viewers, however, saw it as an unwarranted insertion of a Christian symbol into Hindu traditions.

Critics argue that Axis Bank is following a familiar marketing playbook, using Hindu festivals as platforms to preach "secularism" while leaving other religious festivals untouched. Observers pointed out similar patterns in previous campaigns, such as Tanishq's controversial 2020 Diwali ad, which drew backlash for highlighting interfaith relationships during Hindu celebrations. Following the backlash, Axis deleted the video from their X handle. Netizen Reactions Netizens expressed their anger and frustration at Axis Bank for making such an advertisement especially during the holy festival of Navratri. The campaign has triggered an online uproar, with social media users accusing Axis Bank of "Christianising" Hindu festivals and calling for the ad to be withdrawn. On Twitter/X, hashtags demanding a boycott of Axis Bank began trending.