Belagavi: Restaurant uses Hindu saint's image for Biryani publicity; sparks outrage

Belagavi: Hindu organizations have demanded an apology from a famous restaurant in Belagavi for using Hindu saint’s image for Biryani publicity.

‘Niyaaz’, a chain of restaurants in the city is famous for its Biryani. Recently, the restaurant had posted a picture on social media where a Hindu saint demands ‘biryani’ from his disciples instead of ‘balidaan’ after tasting Niyaaz biryani. The post was captioned as “Our Biryani to all other Biryanis-Aham Brahmasmi (I am divine)”

Following which Hindu organizations including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders submitted a memorandum to the Police Commissioner and demanded strict action against the hotel management. They claimed that the hotel management has insulted Hindu saints and it is not acceptable.

The police officials shut all the Niyaaz restaurants in the city and tightened the security. The hotel management later took down the controversial poster and apologized for hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindus.