SpiceJet takes down ‘red-hot girls’ post after women’s panel notice

SpiceJet was forced to take down a social media post featuring its stewardesses and veteran actor Dharmendra.

After a notice from the National Commission of Women, or NCW, which said the post is “a sheer portrayal of women being objectified”. Sources at the airline told India Today TV that it was never the intention to objectify their women staff.

The airline’s caption – “Garam-Dharam with our red-hot girls” – irked social media users, who called it out for being “sexist” and “inappropriate”.

In its notice to the low-cost carrier, the NCW said: “The National Commission for Women has come across a Twitter post of SpiceJet @flyspicejet posting a picture of the actor Sh. Dharmendra with the spice jet airhostesses under the caption “Garam-Dharam with our red-hot girls”. The caption is not just demeaning but rather is a sheer portrayal of women being objectified.”

“Defining women airhostesses as “Red- Hot” is offensive and sexist. The Commission strongly condemns the portrayal of women as a mere object. You are, therefore, required to immediately look into the matter personally and direct the concerned person to remove/take down the caption posted on SpiceJet’s Twitter handle. The action taken must be communicated to the Commission within three days,” it further said.

Dharmendra had replied to the post which has now been deleted. “Thanks… lovely journey with these sweet babies. Pata hi nehin chala kab udey kab pahunch gaye,” the actor wrote.