Karnataka: Ad depicting Hindu saint appreciating Biryani sparks tension

Belagavi/Bengaluru: A famous hotel in Belagavi was caught in a controversy over an advertisement depicting a Hindu saint appreciating a dish of meat and rice, which was taken down after Hindu organisations, like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal objected to it.

The advertisement had outraged the saffron brigade that sought police action against the hotel management. Sensing trouble, it shut all the hotels belonging to the group in the city.

Trouble began on August 12 when Hotel Niyaz released the commercial on social media. It depicted a Hindu saint asking his devotees to give him Biryani instead of Balidaan (sacrifice) with the caption "Guruji after tasting Niyaz."

Yet another caption read, "Our Biryani to all other Biryanis - Aham Brahmasmi (I am divine)."

The ad sent the Hindu organisations into a frenzy and sooner than later the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders met the police commissioner and submitted a memorandum, seeking strict action against the hotel management.

Immediately, the police deployed their personnel at all the hotels belonging to the group to prevent any violence.

Belagavi has a history of communal violence, especially during Ganesha festivals.

The saffron leaders complained that the hotel management had insulted Hindu saints and Hindu traditions. Later the hotel management apologised for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus and deleted the advertisement posted on social media. (UNI)