# Ad comparing girlfriend's 'interest' to FD rates draws backlash inside Chennai Metro

> A Chennai Metro advertisement comparing fixed deposit interest to a girlfriend's affection has sparked outrage, with DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian and AIADMK demanding it be pulled down.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tamil Nadu · **Published:** 2026-09-06 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tamil-nadu/chennai-metro-men-lage-vijnapana-men-garlaphrenda-aura-fd-byaja-ki-tulana-sansada-thamizhachi-thangapandian-bharakin-28570 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Chennai Metro ad, Thamizhachi Thangapandian, AIADMK, DMK, THECOS, FD interest controversy, women insult ad

An advertisement running inside Chennai Metro coaches has triggered a fresh political row in Tamil Nadu, all because it compares the interest earned on a fixed deposit to a girlfriend's affection. The unusual comparison sparked sharp reactions on social media soon after a photo of the ad surfaced, and the controversy quickly spilled into state politics.

## What exactly did the ad say?
The advertisement was put up to promote a fixed deposit (FD) scheme run by a co-operative credit society called THECOS. To make its interest rates sound catchy and memorable, the society picked an example that has now become the centre of the row. The ad read, "girlfriend may give 0 per cent interest," suggesting that even if a girlfriend shows no "interest," depositors in its FD scheme are guaranteed a fixed rate of return. The intent was clearly to present a dry banking detail in a witty, attention-grabbing way so that it would stick in commuters' minds. Instead, that very attempt has landed the society in trouble.

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## DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian reacts
DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian was the first to flag the advertisement, sharing its photo on the social media platform X. She asked how the Chennai Metro administration allowed such an advertisement inside its premises in the first place. According to her, every advertisement displayed at public places must be mindful of women's dignity. She described the ad's message as objectifying and outright insulting to women. Thangapandian urged the Chennai Metro Rail administration to remove the advertisement immediately, and also called for a proper policy so that advertisements carrying such messaging never find space in public transport again.

## AIADMK also demands action
The controversy took on a sharper political edge when AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathiyan also spoke out against the advertisement. He said the language used in the ad was unacceptable under any circumstance and that legal action should be considered against those who created it. Sathiyan added that freedom of expression can never be used as an excuse to insult a particular gender or an individual. He termed the matter a serious issue directly tied to the dignity of women.

## 'Grabbing attention' is no justification
The AIADMK spokesperson further argued that the language used in the advertisement was merely an attempt to grab as much public attention as possible. But he maintained that using an offensive or demeaning message about any one gender purely to catch eyeballs can never be justified. According to him, a marketing strategy cannot come at the cost of compromising women's dignity.

## Who is behind the advertisement?
The advertisement in question was put up by a co-operative credit society called THECOS. Its full name is stated as the Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation Employee's Co-operative Credit Society Ltd (TTCECS). According to the organisation, it is a financial body set up to meet the economic needs of transport employees in Tamil Nadu, offering its members savings and FD schemes.

## What happens next
For now, the controversy centres on the language used in the advertisement and the fact that it was displayed inside a major public transport system like Chennai Metro. A large number of commuters travel on the metro every day, which is why questions are also being raised about the wider impact and accountability of such advertisements in public spaces. Neither the Chennai Metro administration nor THECOS has issued any formal statement so far on removing the advertisement or offering an apology, but with mounting pressure from both DMK and AIADMK, it remains to be seen what steps the metro administration eventually takes.

## What this means for you
This row is not about money directly, but it has real consequences for how advertisements are written and monitored in public spaces.

- **Across India:** Following this incident, advertisements displayed in metros, bus stations and other public transport systems nationwide could face closer scrutiny over their language. Advertising agencies and brands will need to be more careful with messaging involving women, or risk facing similar criticism and action.
- **In Chennai and Tamil Nadu:** The Chennai Metro administration now faces pressure to pull the ad and draft clear guidelines for the future. Local commuters, especially women, now have a clearer signal that complaints against objectionable advertisements in public transport can gain political and social traction.
- **For financial institutions:** Co-operative credit societies like THECOS may need to rethink their marketing strategies, since the controversy has directly hit its public image and credibility.
- **Political fallout:** With both DMK and AIADMK weighing in, the issue could become part of a wider debate on women's dignity in Tamil Nadu politics, potentially leading to new policies or guidelines for public advertising.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What advertisement is this controversy about?
It's about an ad for THECOS's FD scheme displayed inside Chennai Metro, which compares interest rates to a girlfriend's affection.

### 2. What did the advertisement say?
It read "girlfriend may give 0 per cent interest," implying that even if a girlfriend shows no interest, the FD scheme guarantees a fixed return.

### 3. Who first objected to the ad?
DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian was the first to object, sharing a photo of the advertisement on X.

### 4. What did AIADMK say?
AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathiyan called the ad's language unacceptable and said legal action should be considered against those responsible.

### 5. Who put up the advertisement?
It was put up by the co-operative credit society THECOS, whose full name is Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation Employee's Co-operative Credit Society Ltd (TTCECS).

### 6. What does THECOS do?
It is a financial institution that meets the economic needs of Tamil Nadu's transport employees, offering savings and FD schemes.

### 7. Has the ad been removed?
No formal statement on removing the ad has come from the Chennai Metro administration or THECOS so far.

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