Indian politician slams Sunny Leone TV ad; she hits back

An Indian politician, Atul Anjan, leader of the Communist Party of India has claimed that adverts for condoms encourage rape, it has been reported.

The politician made the remarks at a public meeting.

The Indian Express reports that Mr Anjan was criticising Bollywood actress Sunny Leone, featuring in a television advert for condoms.

Her pre-Bollywood roles (adult films) were also roundly slammed by Atul Kumar Anjaan in his speech.

His comments have sparked backlash online. Journalist Pallavi Ghosh tweeted: "How chauvinist- don't blame the mindset, blame the ad/woman for rape- shame on Atul Anjan."

A former chairperson of the Delhi Commission of Women, Barkha Singh, urged the government to withdraw the 'highly immoral' commercial from being aired on TV, news agency PTI reported.

Sunny Leone has responded to criticism of the commercial she featured in from the senior politician and the former chief of the Delhi Commission of Women.

In a tweet in Thursday evening, Ms Leone urged 'people of power' to focus helping people in need:

"Sad when people of of power waste their time and energy on me, instead of focusing on helping those in need !!!!! #SHAME #EPICFAIL."

In response to the backlash, Mr Anjan told The Times of India that he apologised for the offence caused by his remarks but would not change his mind.

Sunny Leone, 34, starred in adult films before appearing on reality show 'Big Boss' and making her Bollywood debut with the movie 'Jism 2' in 2012.

The actress has also, separately, been accused in May this year of obscenity by a Mumbai woman who filed a First Information Report or FIR complaining that Ms Leone has posted pictures online that amount to circulating pornographic material.

This year, Ms Leone appeared in the films 'Ek Paheli Leela' and 'Kuch Kuch Locha Hai'. Her next film, 'Mastizaade', was recently cleared by the Censor Board.

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