Upset Hindus want apology from Burger King for denigrating goddess Lakshmi

Hindus have asked Burger King Corporation to publicly apologize and immediately withdraw a poster seen in Spain, which shows Hindu goddess Lakshmi promoting a meat sandwich, which they termed repugnant.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was highly disturbing to see goddess Lakshmi, who is highly revered in Hinduism, modeling for a meat sandwich as shown. Lakshmi was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for pushing meat sandwiches in the streets for mercantile greed of a global corporation.

The poster is titled “LA MERIENDA ES SAGRADA”, which roughly translates as “Snack is sacred” and shows a meat-cheese sandwich with few other products for 1.75 Euros. What was so ‘sacred’ about a meat sandwich, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked.

Rajan Zed pointed out that Hinduism promoted strict vegetarianism insisting on ahimsa (not harming living creatures) and non-killing, and renouncing animal slaughter and meat eating. It suggested taking of sattvik (vegetables, fruits, etc.) and avoiding rajasik (eggs, etc.) and tamasik (meat, intoxicants, etc.) foods.

Zed argued that there was extensive protection of life in Hinduism and ahimsa was a command. It was a clear denigration showing a Hindu goddess patronizing a meat sandwich.

Burger King should create an internal team of senior executives who should clear all the publicity material before it went to the public and this team should be well trained. If Burger King wanted its executives to learn about world religions, he was willing to help, Rajan Zed added.

Launched in 1954 and headquartered in Miami (Florida, USA) with John W. Chidsey as Chief Executive Officer, Burger King Corporation is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world with over 11, 200 restaurants in 69 countries and revenue of over $2.2 billion. Over 11 million customers visit Burger King daily.

Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune and beauty in Hinduism and is also known as ‘world-mother’. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Last updated on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:00 am IST--Sampurn Media