New Delhi: The Multinational food aggregator and delivery application Zomato responded to the ongoing controversy over a Hrithik Roshan-starrer advertisement where he is seen ordering food from ‘Mahakal’.
Zomato issued a statement and clarified that the advertisement is referring to ‘Mahakal restaurant’ and not the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
The statement further added that “We deeply respect the sentiments of the people of Ujjain, and the ad in question is no longer running. We offer our sincerest apologies, for the intent here was never to hurt anyone’s beliefs and sentiments.”
Earlier today, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti took To Twitter and added that “In an ad, Hrithik says “Thaali khane ka man tha, Mahakal se mangaa liya”. Mahakal is no servant who delivers food to those who demand it, He is a God who’s worshipped. Could Zomato insult a God of another religion with the same courage?”
#Zomato_Insults_Mahakal
In an ad, @iHrithik says “Thaali khane ka man tha, Mahakal se mangaa liya"Mahakal is no servant who delivers food to those who demand it, He is a God who's worshipped.
Could @zomato insult a God of another religion with the same courage? #Boycott_Zomato pic.twitter.com/7yC3qxi3iX
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) August 21, 2022
The priest of Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple too urged Zomato to withdraw the advertisement as it has offended the Hindu sentiments. He further added that “Ad says ‘bhook lage to call karo, 5 min mai mahakaal ki thaali ayegi’. They’ve mocked our faith & beliefs. Any other religion would’ve burnt them down, but we’re peaceful. FIR must be filed in matter.”
The advertisement was part of Zomato’s all-India campaign of picking up popular local restaurants and highlighting them through the advertisement starring Bollywood Actor Hrithik Roshan.