Carelessness or impudence? Debate flares up over profane Vishu poster by Kerala restaurant chains

A social media debate is ongoing over the controversial poster put up by a restaurant depicting Lord Krishna savouring the Yemeni dish Kuzhi Manthi. The poster was used on the social media page of the Cherthala-based restaurant during the Vishu festival. After the incident sparked outrage, the owner came forward with an apology, saying that it was a mistake on the part of the designer. Many thought it was an isolated incident, but netizens were smart enough to find that many hotel groups across the state used similar images of Lord Krishna consuming non-vegetarian food during Vishu season.

Food outlets in Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Kottayam, including Go Grill Mandi Mahal Hotel in Erattupetta, Mandi Manzil Hotel Group with outlets in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha, and Thalassery Kitchen in Kozhikode used similar posters to celebrate Vishu. Many of these were taken down after they caused uproar on social media.

Netizens also found an eerie similarity in the profane posters used by most non-vegetarian food chains across the state to celebrate the festival. This busted the narrative that the Cherthala incident was an isolated one.

Lack of discretion may sound sane to some, but allegations surfaced that the same restaurants celebrated other festivals, including Ramzan, adhering to the values of the religion, not even including pictures of Kuzhimanthi or other non-vegetarian edibles. This led to allegations of a deliberate move behind the posters used for Vishu.

It would be wise if Restaurant entrepreneurs tinker less with religions, which in the present circumstances stands the risk of igniting a full-fledged riot.

Mehr Mandi & Grills, owner Mohammed Shameer, was arrested in the incident after various Hindu outfits hit the streets in protest over the coarse portrayal of the Vishu festival. Despite the apology from the owners, it still makes one wonder whether the owners were so naïve as to give a green signal for such a volatile poster that was sure to invite brickbats from a faction in society. There were also allegations that all the restaurant chains outsourced their work to the same designer group, which resulted in the massive backlash.