Internationally-renowned chef Atul Kochhar faced a backlash on Twitter, as many pointed out that he was working in a Muslim country while writing against Islam.
New Delhi: The controversy over the Hindu terror episode in the US TV series Quantico claimed a celebrity chef of Indian-origin Wednesday. The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai announced that it had sacked Atul Kochhar, the chef at the hotel’s popular Rang Mahal restaurant, following his tweet criticising Islam Sunday.
In a statement to a Dubai news outlet, the general manager of the hotel, Bill Keffer, said, “Following the recent comments made by chef Atul Kochhar, we have taken the decision to end our agreement with him for Rang Mahal. With the termination of our agreement, chef Atul will no longer be associated with the restaurant.”
According to report in the Arab News, a website based out of the UAE, the controversy started when Kochhar in a now-deleted tweet on Sunday said, “It’s sad to see that you have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorised by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on you”.
He was responding to an apology put out by actress Priyanka Chopra for the Quantico episode.
The celebrity chef immediately faced a backlash on Twitter, with many pointing out that he was working in a Muslim country while slamming Islam.
He is shame to people in Dubai. All must support Ban
On such Illiterates who make instigating comments and bring shame to their own family & society.
Is he also holding Indian passport?
Must also investigate his friends and acquaintance where such radical thoughts are seeded?
— चेंगड (@Harsha97696494) June 13, 2018
Along with criticism, Twitterati called for a boycott of his restaurant, Rang Mahal, and urged the hotel authorities to fire him.
Celebrity earns a living in a Muslim Country where he gains popularity
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Beware of your words
If unhappy leave Don’t be self destructive
Be a celebrity in yr own country then please yrself in bashing
— Anthony Saldanha (@AnthonySald) June 13, 2018
As the issue gained traction, the higher management at the Marriott also apologised on social media saying they don’t share or endorse the views of the chef.
We are aware of the comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar. We would like to stress that we do not share the same views as stated in the remark, nor is it a representation of the culture of diversity and inclusion that we pride ourselves on at the hotel.
— JW Marriott Marquis (@JWDubaiMarquis) June 11, 2018
Could have legal repercussions
According to UAE social media laws, online comments promoting racism or factionalism, especially with regard to Islam and Muslims, constitute a criminal offence and Kochhar can be prosecuted in this regard.
Anyone breaking the UAE’s anti-discriminatory law could face imprisonment of up to five years and charged a fine of anything between 5,00,000 dirhams and 1 million dirhams.
The law also holds the employers responsible for such offences committed by their employees, and Article 17 under the law allows for the representative, manager or agent of the company to be punished with the same penalties, provided he or she is aware of the crime committed by the company personnel.
Apology under fire
Under fire, Kochhar posted an apology on Twitter Monday.
“There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of moment on Sunday. I fully recognize my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many.”
https://twitter.com/atulkochhar/status/1006099306590474240
It didn’t cut ice with some social media users who accused Kochhar of being insincere.
When I saw your tweet, I didn’t even notice 2000, I noticed dehumanizing bigotry against an already marginalized community in India, but your apology focused on 2000 Vs 1400 semantics ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/mEAVwvW2fC
— Baba (@BabaGlocal) June 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/IamAshwinNaik/status/1006458433657233409
The chef then issued another apology to the Muslim community Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/atulkochhar/status/1006587584179564544
Despite the apology, netizens weren’t happy and constant demands were made for the hotel to sack Kochhar.
https://twitter.com/SamKhan999/status/1006210419277508608
Born in India, Kochhar is the author of three best-selling cookery books and a chef.