Kochi/Alappuzha: A Vishu greeting poster that depicted Bhagwan Krishna alongside a non-vegetarian dish has triggered a major controversy in Keralam, leading to protests and police action. The incident, linked to Meher Mandi & Grills in Cherthala in Alappuzha district, saw the arrest of one of the hotel owners, Arshad, by the Cherthala police. The restaurant is reportedly run by a group of nine Jihadis.
The controversy began when the Vishu-themed advertisement showed Bhagwan Krishna placed in close proximity to a meat-based dish, including a biryani platter with fried chicken. The visual circulated widely, drawing strong reactions and complaints from Hindu devotees, who stated that the depiction was inappropriate and disrespectful, especially during a sacred festival.
Following the complaints, police registered a case under BNS section 192 and took Arshad into custody as part of the investigation into the creation and circulation of the advertisement. The incident also led to protests by Hindu organisations in Cherthala, escalating the issue beyond a single establishment.
As the controversy unfolded, similar visuals emerged from other restaurants, indicating a recurring pattern in the use of religious imagery in festive promotions. The issue has since widened into a broader public debate across the state.
Amid this backdrop, a new image has surfaced from Kochi, further intensifying the discussion. The poster, associated with a shop named ‘FIRST STEP’ located on Kalathilparambil Cross Road in Ernakulam district, features a pair of slippers placed inside what appears to be a Vishu Kani arrangement. Vishu Kani is a central ritual of the Vishu festival, marking the Malayalam New Year. It involves the arrangement of auspicious items such as rice, fruits, vegetables, a mirror, gold ornaments, and images or idols of deities, typically Bhagwan Krishna. The arrangement is viewed at dawn as the first sight of the new year, symbolising prosperity, abundance, and divine blessings. The Kani is traditionally treated with reverence and purity, with each element carrying symbolic significance.
In the image now circulating, slippers have been placed prominently within a similar arrangement, replacing or overshadowing the traditional sacred elements. This visual has been widely interpreted as a deviation from the customary representation of Vishu Kani, where only auspicious and pure items are included. The placement of footwear considered inappropriate in sacred contexts, within such a setting has added to the ongoing controversy.
With similar incidents emerging across different locations, the issue has expanded into a broader debate over the repeated use of Hindu religious imagery in contentious ways during festivals. These incidents point to an organised and targeted Jihadi campaign, even as questions are being raised over the adequacy of police response and the perceived inaction of authorities.
