On 19th April (Sunday), authorities informed that 3 people were taken into custody in relation to a Vishu-day promotional poster that featured Lord Krishna alongside a non-vegetarian meal, “kuzhi mandi,” for a restaurant in Valambur of Kerala. The accused have been identified as Musthafa Kunduvayil and Shahul Hameed, who are the proprietors of the place, “Yamama Shawaya” as well as Muhammed Shahin, who handled its social media account. A case was filed against the trio after the issue surfaced, a day earlier.
Afterwards, they were called to the Mankada police station. Officials conveyed that the arrest was officially documented before they were freed on bail. On 14th April, the contentious post was shared as part of Vishu greetings. According to authorities, it included the phrase “Serving the prosperity of taste” on the social media profiles of the business and included Lord Krishna with the “kuzhi mandi.” It went viral triggering backlash.
They were booked under section 192 (maliciously or wantonly provoking someone with the intent to cause a riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to officials, the post was taken down on 17th April after multiple people voiced their objections. A similar incident was reported where two people, including owner Arshad of “Meher Mani & Grills” restaurant, were apprehended for making the same post in Cherthala, Alappuzha. They disseminated the poster via WhatsApp with the intent to offend the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. Hindu outfits also planned protest march to the restaurant.
Several social media users had highlighted that a number of restaurants are using similar Vishu posters, depicting Lord Krishna with non-veg dishes, in a deliberate attempt to offend Hindus.
Do you really believe this is a“designer’s mistake”? “Poster was outsourced”?🚨🚨
— MAHARATHI (@MahaRathii) April 17, 2026
Open your eyes… One poster is a mistake,Four posters is a strategy.
Same Lord Krishna,Same non veg plates,Same timing on Vishu.
This is not carelessness.
This is deliberate.🤷🏻♂️🤬
They use your… pic.twitter.com/keUdBRiwS9
The restaurant located near the North Market Central Juma Masjid is co-owned by Mohammed Shemir along with Arshad, Shamnad and others. Shemir is reportedly the son of the local Indian Union Muslim League leader. Following social media backlash, the hotel posted a so-called apology video, claiming that the poster was “outsourced” and that the graphic designer made a “mistake.”
