This e-payment brand upgraded its ‘insensitive’ ad on demonetisation, but got trolled any way

The company is now being trolled for the change with people asking if they bowed down to 'certain political parties'.

PayTM gets trolled on Twitter

E-commerce company PayTM has been in news ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Especially after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that it’s the biggest beneficiary of the move. “Paytm biggest beneficiary of PM’s announcement. Next day PM appears in its ads. Whats the deal, Mr PM?” he had tweeted.

PayTM CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, however, stole the show on social media with his response. “Dear Sir, The biggest beneficiary is our country. We are just a tech startup, trying to solve financial inclusion & make India proud,” he tweeted.

But the company went a tad bit too far with their latest ad on the current situation to promote themselves. The ad, which drew a lot of flak on social media, shows a woman is complaining about the long queues outside banks and ATMs not allowing her to withdraw cash even to pay salary of her domestic help. The latter, however, walks up to the woman and tells her, “Drama band karo. PayTM karo”.

Story continues below this ad

People on social media were extremely annoyed with the company for running an advertisement that mocks the misery of people who are struggling to withdraw and exchange money standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs. “What are the alternatives to Paytm? I’m really getting sick of their daily gloating while everyone struggles.Want to not use it,” wrote comedian Aditi Mittal. “Dear @vijayshekhar I am uninstalling @Paytm for mocking people facing hardship due to demonetization through your disgusting ads #StopPayTM,” wrote another user.

Here’s the ad.

Excellent ad for #PayTM unfortunately housed down by the pretentious mob representing the lady whining in the video. pic.twitter.com/Wxbx6tJMB6

— Be’Havin! (@WrongDoc) November 13, 2016

PayTM, later, tweaked the ad and deleted the statement “Drama band karo” and added, “hamari chinta na karo” instead. “With our strong belief in financial inclusion for every Indian, here is our upgraded ad,” they wrote.

With our strong belief in financial inclusion for every Indian, here is our upgraded ad. pic.twitter.com/DiUbNuERGK

— Paytm (@Paytm) November 14, 2016

But the company is now being trolled for the change with people asking if they bowed down to ‘certain political parties’.

@Paytm drama word is apt since you removed that word to suit your political identity uninstalling your app. Drama math karo @Paytm

— Balaji Gopal (@gopalbalaji) November 14, 2016

@Paytm @vijayshekhar Did you remove “Drama bandh karo” because “drama” is associated with @ArvindKejriwal? Hurt his feelings?#DramaQueens

— Indian Nutty Right (@SupariShambhu) November 14, 2016

This is the original ad, while #adarshliberals #presitutes forced PayTm to change the ‘ Drama’ to ‘ hamari chinta’ @Paytm @vijayshekhar pic.twitter.com/p07fjbkyeP

— Vijay Pai (@paivijay) November 14, 2016