Now Ramadoss challenges Bangalore IPL team over name

New Delhi:

The Indian Premier League's (IPL) Bangalore team, Royal Challengers, on Tuesday faced a bouncer from Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who said that the team's name amounted to surrogate advertising and promoted alcohol.

"This is surrogate advertisement. We are going to write against the team to the information and broadcasting ministry," Ramadoss said in New Delhi.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition that alleged that Vijay Mallya, who owns the IPL Bangalore team, was promoting the liquor brand produced by his United Breweries Group through his team's name.

The Supreme Court bench pointed out that the team was not named 'Royal Challenge' , the liquor brand, but 'Royal Challengers'.

"Only those who drink can be attracted by these things," the bench observed in a lighter vein, alluding to the fact that a name would not have any effect on non-drinkers.

But Ramadoss alleged that Mallya was using the banner 'Royal Challengers' as a means to promote one of his liquor brands.

"We are in favour of banning all surrogate advertisements and those who violate it will face action," the minister said on the sidelines of an anti-alcohol programme here.

"We are going to complain against it and I am happy my senior colleague in the information and broadcasting ministry has taken note of it."

At the event, Ramadoss stressed that he has been fighting against major problems like tobacco, alcohol, drugs and junk food.

"The alcohol problem is the mother of all problems - from social to economic. Though its is the third most health concern of the country, its soon going to be a number one worry," he said.