Darker-hued Indians spend a total equivalent to £160 million a year on skin-lightening products.
"We are against the product," said Brinda Karat, the president of the All-India Democratic Women's Association. "It is downright racist to denigrate dark skin."
"He's a role model for young Indians, and now he'll be telling them that dark skin is unattractive and must be changed," said Renoukha Khandekar, an author and columnist. "It's irresponsible and stupid. We have skin tones of all hues in this country, and they're all wonderful."
