Protest: New Advertisement of McDonald denigrates Hindu deities

I saw your new advertisement on television. In that ad one temple is shown and in that temple all people are worshiping the stomach of human. Some people in the ad are singing aarti at the same time.And at the same time one person is eating burger in McDonalds reastaurant.

 

Temples are meant for worshiping the god and not for worshiping human stomach. We have lots of faith in our god and you are hurting our faith by showing worshiping of stomach in temple and also  aarti at the background. Thus this is severe denegration.

 

Hope you will make changes in the ad and remove the parts which are hurting feelings of all hindu.

Amit Bhosale

2) E-mail sent by Mr. Hrishikesh Kulkarni

I’ve seen an advertisement of mcdonalds in which mockery of Hindu deities are shown. Such thing is extremely hurtful to the Hindu religious sentiments and against the ethics of business.

I’ve decided not to make any purchase from Mcdonald and will persuate others not to buy any product from Mcdonalds.
 
Will u be ever dare to publish such advertisement for any other religion? It shows your apathy towards the Hindu religious sentiments. Stop your advertisement.
 
Hrishikesh Kulkarni

Reply sent by McDonalds Company Justifying the advertisement

From: Gauri karnik <[email protected]>
Date: 2009/10/9
Subject: McDonald’s India
To: Hrishikesh Kulkarni

McDonald’s in India is run and managed by Indians and we respect the Indian culture and the same is seen in our business practices too. We have developed a complete range of 100% veg menu only to customize the needs of Indian audiences and in respect to the sentiments of local culture we do not serve beef and pork right from day one. We herby confirm that the presentation of the Extra Value Meals advertisement film (television commercial) is in no way linked to any religious festival or practice.

“Paet Pooja” is a common idiom or saying or phrase used in India that means “feed your hunger”. It does not imply actual worship. This is a light-hearted use of the language (idiom) alone where people are merely highlighting the stomach and its hunger, playing on this idiom i.e. this phrase, which is easily understood and is in fact a popular phrase in our country.
We reiterate that the television commercial does not show or exhibit any religious symbols /signs/temple etc.

Should you require any further clarifications, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks
Gauri Karnik
McDonald’s India