The ongoing furor over the ban on Maggi by the state government has now taken a new turn with Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh demanding that Union Government should take back the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna from little master Sachin Tendulkar. Singh who is also known as the waterman said in Moradabad on Wednesday that the brand ambassador of any product should be its expert. “The companies use stars to attract consumers but the stars should also have responsibility towards society,” he said.
Singh also objected over several advertisements on which veteran cricket player Sachin Tendulkar was endorsing food product and demanded that NDA Government should take back the Bharat Ratna award, been conferred to him during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led Government. Singh also said that a man who has been conferred with the highest civilian award should have the dignity to be away from such commercial acts. “In fact Sachin, himself should return the award if he is interested in commercial activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, many shopping arcades have stopped taking new stock of magi till the controversy dies. There are reports that Malls in state capital have not taken fresh stick of magi. Many retail shops in Bhootnath area too have not accepted Maggi. “The sale of Maggi has come down after controversy. Thus, we have decided not to take maggi for some time,” owner of daya Kirana store said. Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) P.K. Singh said that cases have been lodged against the shopkeepers and Malls who are selling the product. It has also lodged complaint against Nestle India limited and its FMCG managersv Mohan Gupta and Shabab Alam.