The Failed Pacifist

"Hitler" Restaurant Opens

Puneet Sablok has opened a restaurant in Mumbai, India named "Hitler's Cross". It seems the offensive name is simply marketing gimmick in a country with few Jews and where swastikas are ancient religious symbols.

India was the first to ban The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, and some there sought to bar The Da Vinci Code for being offensive. In February 2006, a Shariat Court in India issued a religious decree sentencing the author of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad to death. But it seems nothing like that is going to happen in the case of the new restaurant, despite complaints.

"Hitler was a bad man, but what's wrong with having food here?" said Ashwini Phadnis, 22, a microbiology student as she tucked away a piece of chocolate cake.

Engineering student Anand Dhillon sat with friends, sipping soft drinks. "I think the name is quite interesting. Tomorrow if someone keeps a name like Saddam Mutton Shop or George Bush Footwear, there's nothing wrong with that, is there?" he shrugged.

posted by Doran @ 10:47 AM