Thankfully, on a website. A joint venture between Bajaj group and German-based Allianz Se, the insurance giant, posted a map of India that didn't include parts of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. It was corrected after a complaint was filed. But Delhi cops say issue is 'not offensive'
Thankfully, on a website. A joint venture between Bajaj group and German-based Allianz Se, the insurance giant, posted a map of India that didn't include parts of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. It was corrected after a complaint was filed. But Delhi cops say issue is 'not offensive'
They said it was a mistake. And we agree. Just that on the eve of the 62nd Independence Day and at a time when India's relations with its two important neighbours are not very cordial, such mistakes hurt and hurt a lot.
The mistake
Bajaj Allianz, a joint venture between the Bajaj Group and the German-based insurance giant Allianz, had posted a map of India, a copy of which is with MiD DAY, on its website that included parts of Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan and 'gave away' the state of Arunachal Pradesh to China.
The incorrect map was spotted by members of the National Panthers Party.
They filed a complaint against Rahul Bajaj, a copy of which is with MiD DAY, at the Parliament Street police Station on August 10.
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However, Rahul Bajaj washed his hands off the issue and said, "We have nothing to do with it. We have a joint venture with the Allianz Group, a German company. We apprised them about it (the inaccurate map) and it (the map) has been corrected."
When contacted, the Regional Head of Corporate Communications, Allianz Asia Pacific, Dr Christoph John, in an email reply from Singapore, said, "We have checked and found out that Allianz has not received any complaint or summons from authorities yet. The map that you refer to was a coarse depiction of the region that Allianz is active in.u00a0 The representation was by no means intended to hurt anybody's sentiments and we regret if this has been the case."
"We have undertaken necessary action immediately and replaced the map last week by a new one which follows the official United Nations' version," he added.
Cops cool
Interestingly, the Delhi police are not perturbed by this misrepresentation of the country's territory. They feel the issue is not important because the man who filed the compliant has quit his political party.
They said they have received a complaint against Rahul Bajaj for mis-representing the map of India but added no offence was made. "The map was not a printed one. It is a photocopy of a webpage. We do not acknowledge the complaint as the main complainant is no longer with the party (National Panthers Party)," said DCP, New Delhi, Shankar Das.
Rahul Babaj in a spot?
We have nothing to do with it. We have a joint venture with the Allianz Group, a German company. We apprised them about it (the inaccurate map) and it (the map) has been corrected
Rahul Bajaj
Panthers demand
The National Panthers Party, which filed the police complaint, wants a case registered under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act against Rahul Bajaj, Member of Parliament and the promoter of the Bajaj Group. The charges, if proved, can lead to life imprisonment with a fine. They also want nationalisation of his properties and businesses and an inquiry into complaints pending against the Group.
The map was by no means intended to hurt anybody's sentiments and we regret if this has been the case
Dr Christoph John, Regional Head, Corporate Communications, Allianz Asia Pacific
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