Alappuzha (Kerala), April 17 The local police have registered a case against the owners of Mehr Mandi & Grills in Cherthala following widespread outrage over a provocative Vishu advertisement that depicted Lord Krishna alongside a non-vegetarian dish.
The controversial poster, released as part of the restaurant’s festival promotion, went viral on social media, triggering protests and calls for a boycott.
Police had earlier taken into custody two individuals linked to the hotel who allegedly shared the now-viral poster, invoking provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing concerns over hurting religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.
Speaking to IANS, an official attached to the Cherthala police station said the hotel is owned by nine individuals.
“Two of them who shared this now-controversial poster are in custody. The probe team is conducting a detailed investigation. The hotel has not opened today. We are proceeding with the probe,” the official said.
The incident, reported from Cherthala in Alappuzha district, quickly escalated into a law and order issue, with many terming the depiction disrespectful to Hindu traditions, especially during Vishu.
Police sources said the case was registered after preliminary findings indicated that the content had the potential to provoke communal discord.
Amid mounting backlash, Mehr Mandi & Grills released an apology video on Instagram, attributing the controversy to a “designer’s mistake” and stating that the poster had been outsourced.
In the video, the management maintained that there was no malicious intent and expressed regret over the incident.
Earlier, the owners had also issued a statement claiming that the design was created by a third-party agency and that the lapse was due to a lack of judgment rather than a deliberate attempt to offend.
Despite the clarification and apology, authorities have proceeded with legal action, underlining the seriousness of the issue.
Officials said the investigation would focus on how the advertisement was conceptualised and approved for release.
The episode has once again brought into focus the sensitivities surrounding the use of religious imagery in commercial promotions, particularly during festival periods, with calls for greater accountability and oversight.
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