Walton serves legal notice to studio, cancels contract for 'Rupantor' 

Walton has issued a legal notice to the studio 'Local Bus Entertainment' for airing a show 'Rupantar' alleging that it went against the electronics company's ideals and policies.

In a press release today (16 April), the Walton Group offered a sincere apology to customers and their well-wishers over the matter.

Addressing the owner of the studio, Mohan Ahmed, the legal notice says, "As per your proposal, Walton has agreed to brand six plays produced by you, provided that the said dramas shall not include any matter which offends the laws, principles, morals or religious sentiments of the country. But it is regretful that in this show, some things have been included, which has created controversy and hurt people's sentiments."

The company also cancelled all advertising contracts with the agency for airing the fiction "without informing the Walton authority about its content".

"You are asked to respond within seven days of receiving the notice why legal action should not be taken against you for promoting the drama in violation of Walton's ideals and policies," reads the notice.

According to the media release, Walton had previously directed the studio to remove the fiction from various social media platforms, including Facebook and Youtube. 

The drama was then removed from its affiliated YouTube channel earlier today (16 April).

Walton further said necessary measures are being taken subject to investigation so that such incidents do not recur.

The statement comes after the show 'Rupantor' was surrounded by the controversy of allegedly promoting LGBTQ+ rights.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Nihar Ahmed, the playwright of the play, said, "There is no offence to religious sentiments or contempt for religion anywhere in the play. The play highlights the kind of havoc and painful situations that arise at the personal, social and state levels due to hormonal changes in a person.

"Hormonal changes are a mystery of the creator, not a man-made phenomenon. I believe that many people are talking about hurting religious sentiments, promoting transgenderism or supporting homosexuality without watching the play. The mentioned incident is not the subject of this play. Rather, the subject matter is what is called 'hermaphroditism' in the language of medical science," he added.

Television director Rafat Mozumder Rinku's drama "Rupantor" was produced by Ekanno Media and sponsored by Walton. It was released during Eid-ul-Fitr.