Bengaluru: A Vishu-themed promotional poster shared by Nadawi Mandi Restaurant, which operates from Maha Yogi Vemana Road, Konappana Agrahara, Electronic City, Bengaluru (560100), has triggered controversy after it circulated widely on social media. The restaurant, which also has an outlet in Saudi Arabia, had posted the image on its official Instagram handle as part of Vishu greetings before deleting it following backlash.
The now-deleted image features a child-like, stylised depiction of Bhagwan Krishna peeking over a table while holding a piece of cooked meat, with a large platter of Biriyani rice topped with roasted chicken placed prominently in the foreground. The background shows a restaurant setting with diners seated, while festive design elements and Malayalam text wishing “Happy Vishu” are displayed above. The use of Krishna imagery in direct association with a meat dish formed the central point of contention. Vishu, the Malayalam New Year, is a deeply significant festival for Hindus in Keralam, centred on rituals like the Vishukkani, which symbolises prosperity, purity and divine blessings for the year ahead.
The use of Bhagwan Krishna’s imagery in association with meat dishes in such advertisements is a direct insult of Hindu traditions, leading to strong reactions among devotees who view it as disrespectful to the sanctity of the festival and its customs. The poster carried branding elements of Nadawi Mandi Restaurant, along with references to its locations, including Bengaluru and Saudi Arabia. The visual was intended as a festive greeting but quickly drew attention after being shared online. Screenshots of the post continued to circulate even after it was removed from the restaurant’s social media page.
The incident adds to a series of similar controversies linked to Vishu-themed advertisements in recent days, where religious imagery has been used alongside non-vegetarian food in promotional content. The recurrence of such visuals across different establishments has contributed to the expansion of the issue beyond a single location.
Arrests and similar cases across Kerala
The present controversy follows earlier incidents reported from Keralam, particularly in Alappuzha and Malappuram districts, where similar advertisements led to protests and police action. In Cherthala, Alappuzha, Meher Mandi & Grills, owned by Mohammed Shemir, Arshad and associates, came under scrutiny after releasing a Vishu advertisement depicting Bhagwan Krishna alongside a biryani platter with fried chicken placed prominently. The image circulated widely, leading to protests by Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Demonstrations were held in the area, with participants demanding action against those responsible. Following complaints, the Cherthala police registered a case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As part of the investigation, an individual named Arshad was taken into custody. The restaurant, reportedly run by a group of nine partners, became the focal point of the initial controversy, which later expanded across districts.
A similar incident was reported from Angadipuram in Malappuram district involving Yamama Shawaya Hotel, located near Poradam Bridge. The establishment had shared a Vishu-themed image on social media showing a child-like depiction of Bhagwan Krishna seated in front of a plate containing a meat dish. The post was deleted soon after concerns were raised, but it had already circulated widely. The Mankada police registered a case in connection with the post on charges related to promoting communal disharmony. Three individuals, Mustafa of Pookottoor, Shahul Hameed, and Muhammed Shahil of Eramthode, were arrested. Police also seized two mobile phones and a tablet believed to have been used in creating and sharing the content.
In addition to these incidents, other restaurants across Kerala, including Go Grill Mandi Mahal Hotel in Erattupetta, Mandi Manzil Hotel Group with outlets in multiple districts, and Thalassery Kitchen in Kozhikode, were also discussed in connection with similar promotional visuals. Another image from Ernakulam, linked to a shop named First Step, showed slippers placed within a Vishu Kani-like arrangement, further adding to the controversy. With the emergence of the Nadawi Mandi poster from Bengaluru, the issue has now extended beyond Keralam, drawing wider attention.
