Burger King says sorry to Hindus
The Snack is Sacred: Hindu groups had a beef about this burger advert
A Spanish Burger King poster has been removed from the restaurant chain’s stores following complaints from The Hindu American Foundation. The ad featured Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of good fortune and beauty.
Suhag Shukla, Managing Director and Legal Counsel for the Foundation, said,
An advertisement knowingly and intentionally using sacred symbols, especially those of another religious tradition, for purely commercial purposes can be offensive in and of itself. Compounding this insult is the use of the sacred image for the sale of a meat product–Burger King’s judgment in associating a burger with a Hindu Goddess is absolutely baffling
Burger King apologised.
Burger King Corporation values and respects all of its guests as well as the communities we serve. This in-store advertisement was running to support a limited-time-only local promotion for three restaurants in Spain and was not intended to offend anyone. Out of respect for the Hindu community, the in-store advertisement has been removed from the restaurants
Amusingly, the apparent success of this complaint was immediately leapt upon by a self-described “acclaimed Hindu statesman” named Rajan Zed, head of another advocacy group the Universal Society of Hinduism. He issued a triumphant press release which was picked up by a number of news sources, including “Scoop” linked above.
What does the Hindu American Foundation think of the inveterate self-promoter hi-jacking their campaign?
“especially those of another religious tradition”
Very telling remark.
What religion does Suhag Shukla think Burger King is?
Time to slaughter a few sacred cows…
Yeah! What next – “Christian Burgers”? (PLEASE don`t tell me they`re already available in the States!!)
I suspect Burger King are really more concerned with losing a few Hindu cutomers and profit than worrying about protocol…Pity. Should have thrown old greasy burgers at Mr Zed instead and told him where to go… (do Hindus have a hell? )
…Or are they falling about laughing because of all the free publicity that`s been generated YET AGAIN? (This has been debated at length over at http://freethinker.co.uk/ already.)