Alappuzha: VHP State General Secretary Adv. Anil Vilayil said that attempts to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus in Keralam have been continuing for years and cannot be allowed to go on. He was inaugurating a protest march organised by the VHP towards the establishment of Meher Mandi & Grills, which had released a Vishu advertisement depicting Bhagwan Shri Krishna alongside a non-vegetarian dish. Vilayil referred to earlier controversies, stating that when a group of children sang the patriotic song “Parama Pavithramee Mannil…” on a train in Keralam, both LDF and UDF political fronts opposed it. He also alleged irregularities in Devaswom Board administration, including issues linked to Sabarimala, adding that such developments had been tolerated by the Hindu community.
Allegations of repeated incidents
Continuing his remarks, Vilayil pointed to earlier instances that had triggered protests, including the circulation of controversial imagery linked to religious symbols. He said that such incidents had been occurring in Keralam for some time and that the recent advertisement showing meat served in front of Bhagwan Shri Krishna was part of the same pattern. He expressed concern over what he described as a growing imbalance in how religious issues are addressed, and called for greater awareness and response from the community. He also raised concerns about changing social dynamics in certain regions, stating that these developments were contributing to tensions around cultural and religious practices.
March blocked, protest intensifies
The protest march began from the Cherthala Devi Mandir and proceeded towards the restaurant near Vadakke Angadi Junction. Police blocked the march at the junction, following which protesters sat on the road and raised slogans. The protest meeting was led by VHP District Secretary M. Jayakrishnan. Among those present were RSS Sabarigiri Vibhag Prachar Pramukh Adv. P. Rajesh, BJP North District President Adv. P.K. Binoy, Cherthala Constituency President Kannan Haridas, Muhamma Constituency President Rashin Chand, along with Vimal Ravindran, T. Sanjeev Lal, Asha Mukesh, and others.
Vishu advertisement row expands across Keralam
The controversy centres on a Vishu-themed advertisement released by Meher Mandi & Grills in Cherthala, owned by Mohammed Shemir and associates. The advertisement depicted Bhagwan Shri Krishna alongside a biryani platter with fried chicken placed prominently, leading to widespread protests. In connection with the case, Arshad, one of the owners, was taken into custody by the Cherthala police in Alappuzha district and booked under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as part of the ongoing investigation into the creation and circulation of the advertisement, with further legal proceedings underway.
As the issue gained attention, similar visuals surfaced from other restaurants across Keralam, including Go Grill Mandi Mahal Hotel in Erattupetta (Kottayam district), Mandi Manzil Hotel Group with outlets in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha, and Thalassery Kitchen in Kozhikode, owned by Shareef and Munawar.
Across these advertisements, Bhagwan Krishna was depicted in close proximity to non-vegetarian dishes such as biryani and fried meat items, forming a consistent visual pattern. The recurrence of such imagery across districts has widened the controversy, bringing multiple establishments under scrutiny. The developments have led to protests by Hindu organisations, including the VHP, with demonstrations organised in Cherthala and other locations. Police intervention was reported in some instances to manage the situation. The issue has since expanded into a wider public debate across Kerala, with continued protests and discussions over the use of religious imagery in such campaigns.
