Cross Cafe - Controversy

Controversy

The swastika, controversial in parts of the world due to usage by the Third Reich, is also an ancient Hindu holy symbol widely displayed to bring luck.

The Hitler-themed restaurant caused an uproar in the Jewish community in Mumbai and by citizens in the city. Although the store's owner, Punit Sablok, argued that his establishment was not promoting Hitler, Jonathan Solomon, chairman of the Indian Jewish Federation, was among the infuriated. According to Solomon, the new establishment " a severe lack of awareness of the agony of millions of Jews caused by one man," and he promised to work hard "to stop this deification of Hitler." According to the Associated Press, there are just 5,500 Jews in India, and all but 1,000 live in Mumbai. Sablok's refusal to change the theme earned the restaurant notoriety across the world as letters from Israel and Germany with the outpouring of strongly worded letters in the city's dailies. The Israeli Embassy too sent a strongly worded letter to the owners.

Finally, on 24 August, after less than a week of international outcry and a meeting with local Jewish leaders, Punit Sablok agreed to remove Hitler's name and the Nazi swastika from billboards and the restaurant's menu. "I chose the name innocently. I didn't expect that it would snowball into a major controversy", Sablok said. At that point, he said he was unsure of the name to be chosen, but sure of one thing: "no more dictators". The Indian Jewish Federation reacted positively, saying it was relieved. "The incident exposes the lack of understanding of the present generation about the atrocities of the past and the need to educate them about crimes against humanity," Solomon said.

On 30 August, the restaurant was renamed the Cross Cafe. "We hope the new name will be a trouble-free one. We have deleted Hitler's name and the swastika symbol will be replaced with multi-coloured rings," Punit Sablok said. Two other options, Fort Knox and Exotic Goblet, were considered by the owners before they decided on the new name, Sabhlok added. Puneet Sablok said the Nazi swastikas that adorned signs advertising the eatery and its menus would be removed.