Facets of Advertisement and Consumer Protection: An Indian Perspective

Advertising has been accused as the root cause of many socio-economic offenses. As a dream merchant, it raises hopes and aspirations in people with exaggerated promises and promotes conspicuous consumption. It misleads people by making them believe what may not be true. Despite all the ills that plague advertisement, its importance can hardly be undermined as it has several positive facets too. Hence, it needs to be regulated and its ill effects negated. The age-old Indian culture is eroding day by day due to the pernicious influence of western culture. Open display of obscene and indecent advertisements has become all-pervasive. Thus, it needs to be emphasised that in order to preserve the pristine beauty of our cultural ethos, regulation of such unethical advertisements is a must.