Private broadcaster Nimbus has rejected allegations that its ads telecast
during India West Indies cricket one dayers last month were racist claiming
that the idea behind them was "light hearted". 
Responding to a show cause notice served on them, Nimbus officials
appeared before the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and defended
the ad series saying they had no racial overtones, official sources said here
today.
The ads have appeared on Nimbus-run Neo Sports channel.
Nimbus officials are understood to have argued that neither was there any racial
overtone nor was it their intention, if anyone had perceived them to be racist.
The ads were "light-hearted" and only aimed at some "fun",
they argued.
The government has accepted the reply but deferred any action as a related
matter on the issue is also coming up for hearing in Delhi High Court tomorrow.
The Ministry on February 14 took cognizance of the some media reports saying
the ad campaign, shown on Nimbus-run Neo Sports channel, with its punchline
"It's tough being a West Indian in India", had racial overtones as
it showed West Indians in poor light because of their skin colour.
Nimbus was directed to file its reply on February 19.
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