New Delhi: A new controversy has erupted in Keralam’s Cherthala, Alappuzha, after Vishu-themed promotional posters, depicting Lord Krishna alongside a non-vegetarian chicken dish by Mehr Mandi & Grills, went viral online. The incident has drawn criticism, with people labelling the image “deeply objectionable” and “an attempt to provoke Hindus.”
Mehr Mandi & Grills is co-owned by Mohammed Shemir, son of a local leader linked to the Indian Union Muslim League, along with Arshad, Shamnad, and other partners.
Following widespread complaints, the police have arrested Arshad on charges of deliberate and malicious acts intended to provoke communal disturbance under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Earlier, Shemir released an apology video claiming the poster was outsourced, calling it a “designer’s mistake.”
“Please forgive me… Forgive us for causing mental difficulties to our brothers and sisters, even though unknowingly,” he said.
Many, however, isn’t convinced. Social media users slammed the ad as ‘lack of basic sense’ which ‘reveals the true mindset of a certain religious community.’
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‘Cannot be seen as innocent’
One of the users on X, rakpari, dismissed the apology and questioned the owner’s as well as the designer’s “basic cultural sense” and sensitivity to Hindus and their festivals.
“Bro, What’s Apology? Where is the first step of the Basic Cultural sense? Where is yours or your designers sensitivity to Hindus and their festivals gone? What is a mere apology? Why take the first step in the first place?” the user said.
Another X user tweeted that they use faith to sell, they mock, then hide behind apology. “Same script every time. Respect our faith or face the response,” the user added.
While a section of social media users asked what would have happened if the exact thing would have been done by a Hindu, another section created their own Vishu-style posters.
“The creation of this poster cannot be seen as innocent; its design clearly reveals their true mindset. Imagine If this had happened in another community People would be shouting that secularism is dead and yet, when Hindus face an issue, everyone is silent,” reads a tweet.
Some users created their own Vishu-style posters, this time featuring pork. One such image placed Mecca in the background with a meat dish in the foreground, captioned “best pork in the region.”
Another X user pointed out that vishu is celebrated by all religions in Keralam.
“Why not show their prophet eating pork biriyani ? I am sure kerala would..if someone dared to do that. The only solution is to deal strongly if required delete them. I fear Someday a hotheaded person might do it,” the user wrote.
Meanwhile, Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindu Aikyavedi, condemned the act as a “deliberate provocation” and organised protest marches in front of the restaurant.
They raised slogans and demanded the permanent closure of the establishment.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)