It’s not the Sepia Mutiny model to just post news items without comment, but sometimes the material doesn’t leave us with much to add. With that said, here are the latest developments in Bombay dining:
NAVI MUMBAI: A new restaurant at Kharghar has actually been named as Hitler’s Cross and it was inaugurated by the who’s who of Navi Mumbai on Friday evening.
A huge poster of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was put at the inauguration function of the restaurant in sector 4 of Kharghar, much to the surprise of the invitees.
Actor Murli Sharma, who has featured in films like Apharan and Teesri Ankh, was one of the guests present at the inauguration. “I found the huge posters of Hitler at the restaurant amusing. That’s all I can say,” he told TOI over phone.
When asked if he felt disturbed by the name of the restaurant, Sharma said: “I am not really agitated as I have not read much about the man (Hitler). However, from what I know about Hitler, I find this name rather amusing.”
Important dignitaries such as Navi Mumbai mayor Manisha Bhoir and former mayor Sanjeev Naik were also invited as chief guests to the restaurant by one Sablok Builders group, who are reportedly behind the management of Hitlers Cross.
A Reuters report picked up by DNA has more:
“We wanted to be different. This is one name that will stay in people’s minds,” owner Punit Shablok said.
“We are not promoting Hitler. But we want to tell people we are different in the way he was different.“…
“This place is not about wars or crimes, but where people come to relax and enjoy a meal,” said restaurant manager Fatima Kabani, adding that they were planning to turn the eatery’s name into a brand with more branches in Mumbai.”
Someone in Mumbai is going to have to do the investigating on this. A field report from Manish, perhaps?
Who cares? The West doesn’t know anything about India or its history. Hell, I wonder if half of the people here can even locate the country. So why should we give two shits about the West and its history? WWII and Nazism did not affect us that much and the Holocaust is just another footnote in our history books. Thus, I don’t see what the big deal is. I don’t think the restaurant is trying to support Hitler, it’s just a gimmick and should be regarded as so. Any outrage over this is absurd.
Excellent points Gautham….though a bit off-topic. There might be a connection too…worth discussing.
The reason why I posted a sarcastic comments is because India is the ONLY COUNTRY in the wholw world where the Jews were not persecuted, whereas Europe was responsible for the horror that the Jewish community had to go through. Yet India still has to apologize for Europe’s sins?? WTF??
I don’t know but i have read (forgotten where) that Bani Isra’el communities in India were subject to fines and persecution, sometimes brutal. Jews throughout the ME, Arabia and Central Asia were persecuted at times. Wherever the jews were a minority population or ruled by surrounding non-jews, they were likely persecuted. Get used to it. By the way, I wonder how these oriental jews do wrt IQ/mental performance. Are Kaifeng jews as bright as the Ashkenazis?
Thanks, Gautham. You make sense.
Where was everybody when they opened an American chain called 7-11, to unapologetically celebrate the July 11 Mumbai train explosions? This is a slap on the face of every Indian. As if Indians weren’t already stereotyped as being closely connected with convenience stores.
Fei: Um. Why should we care? Because we are human with a conscience (well most people are). The West might be somewhat ignorant (generalizing here) and so are we on certain issues… If people didn’t care..we’d be inhuman I believe..
It is a gimmick, but a gimmick with an evil root… that breeds discontent…
Discussing issues with those who are foreign to Indian history/roots/location is a start… knowledge for the ignorant is light.. (damn I am sounding to sound like Mommy Chick Pea)…
If we ignore it, don’t respond, etc…we’d just be like the ‘ignorant West’ as you put it…
You know, it might have not affected me personally, but I have friends who have certainly been affected by it.. just because you don’t suffer, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t care about the pain that another person has or is going through…
All this ‘this,them,ours,their’s’ BS is ultimately the cause of all our disharmony in the world today….
And to end with quoting my most favorite song by Depeche Mode…’People Are People’ People are people So why should it be You and I should get along so awfully
So were different colours And were different creeds And different people Have different needs Its obvious you hate me Though Ive done nothing wrong Ive never even met you So what could I have done I cant understand What makes a man Hate another man Help me understand
Except the present day USA, in fact, it’s somewhat the opposite.
What I did want to call attention to is the way that Indians have basically made racial distinctions acceptable, and even heirarchical in our society, with Caucasians, NRIs and brahmins squarely on top.
The Brahminicals (priestlies) and Rajputs, kshatrys, Kamboj, and Sindhus (warriors) were the defenders of classical India, since times immemorial. And these people, yes, have more Europid physiognomies. The hierarchy is based on thousands of years of our history. There is more grand history relating to the north, where heroic Pactyans have been dwelling from antiquity. The Pakhtun is in our blood, as is the Turk, both physically more europid than sudras and dalits, who have not contributed as much to the cultures, maybe because of bad luck have having to do with genetics/IQ or injustices. These proud, fair-complected northern men are the ones who conquered, ruled and established themselves within the system. They have spread the royal blood as far as the Bengal, and so you will see Bangladeshis claiming Brahminical, Persian, Afghan or Turk ancestry. I am not advocating discrimination, just stating realities. It’s all good. Worth Taking pride in our History, if u ask me.
Except the present day USA, in fact, it’s somewhat the opposite.
no!
Except the present day USA, in fact, it’s somewhat the opposite
nah, this isn’t true. I have thought this through, but it just doesn’t square with the realities I have seen on the ground. Though we do have a huge population of Chistian Zionists in this land, a very bad thing if you ask me.
Oh dear. Alright, let me clarify. In certain instances, and in certain industries, Jews are overrepresented, and by no means are they persecuted in the present day USA.
Yea, with all the BS that’s going in the world let’s express fake outrage over an obscure restaurant in India…let’t get our priorities straight.
Knowledge is fine and dandy, but the importance given to Western history by Indians is disproportionate to the importance given to Indian history (and culture) by Westerners….which in actuality is NIL. Which is why you get faces of Indian Gods on toilet seats here.
So it affected your friends…so what? Most Indians were not affected by WWII and the Holocaust. I am not justifying the opening of the “Hitler Restaurant” but it is simply a gimmick with no “evil” intention. Expressing outrage over this is, again, absurd.
Good luck in your fantasyland, but this is how the world is today. The West still associates India with either curry or cow-riding beggars. Thus, Indians accomodating to “Western” sensibilities is a non-issue…what next? Ban the Swastika because it is associated with that one instance of the many massacres in human history?
The West still associates India with either curry or cow-riding beggars.
LOL. that was a funny image.
The West doesn’t know anything about India or its history. Hell, I wonder if half of the people here can even locate the country.
sir, you a correct here. I have read that an astonishing number of westerners (Americans in partic.) could not even find north america on the map. In addition to this, Americans seem to believe that everyone East of Isra’el is a Hindoo, and that everyone south of the border is a wet-back(derog.lol) or Mexican. Again, I stress that these are Americans more than others.
Hi guys, excellent website. A newcomer here – interesting post. Very clueless move by this fellow in new mumbai – i’ll echo many of the commenters in saying that there is a lot of nonsense back in the des – cannot believe how cavalier some of the locals are about this (“hitler? oh, how amusing…”)
I know a few Indian Jews from the rapidly diminishing community (there is a VERY interesting Indian Jewish temple in Queens by the way – an interesting blend of the 2 cultures during services, worth a field trip if in NYC).
But what is what a couple of these commenters (“MD” and “Manju”) at the beginning of the comments equating this travesty to Che Guevara tshirts?? How can you compare Hitler to Che Guevara?? Are you guys Rush Limbaugh subscribers??
Knowledge is fine and dandy, but the importance given to Western history by Indians is disproportionate to the importance given to Indian history (and culture) by Westerners….which in actuality is NIL. Which is why you get faces of Indian Gods on toilet seats here.
No, sir. It is only a minority I believe that are obsessed with western history. More South Asians are obsessed with their own history, which, imo, is a much healthier sign.
It is only a minority I believe that are obsessed with western history.
count me in that group. because it is my history. 🙂
Some chutia opens an obscure and stupid restaurant in navi mumbai and mutineers are up in arms about how ‘those Indians are insensitve boors.. they should have at least thought about the Jews na..’ These same mutineers would whine if something named after an imperial lord or a medieval thug was renamed/taken down.
I can understand Indians in India not giving much thought to Jews, but desis in the US have an awful lot in common with Jews here. There are many parallels, from the pressure on girls to preserve the culture, to expectations of offspring becoming doctors and lawyers (and attendant family freak-outs when the occasional rogue turns to the arts, which I experienced first-hand), to dating and marriage dilemmas, identity questions, culture vs. religion vs. ethnicity, loyalty to more than one country (I’m definitely not a Zionist, but many American Jews are), not speaking the same language as your grandparents (or great-great-grandparents, since the big wave of Ashkenazi Jew immigration occured several generations prior to desis’), a heritage of guilt (a journalist from Delhi was telling me about Indian Mother Martyr Complex, but he’d never heard a Jewish Mother joke! – it was my pleasure to enlighten him, and he laughed and laughed)…on and on. I’ve been thinking a lot about this since I started reading Sepia Mutiny over a year ago. This blog has given me a new perspective on my own family history.
and by no means are they persecuted in the present day USA.
Well, i’ll put it this way: jews aren’t exactly loved either.
Nina P – you bring up good points. Another thing is a large amount of hindu indian support for israel, for better or worse, as it is a voice against islam/pakistan to these guys.
now, i think that is the wrong reason to find common ground with the Jewish people – but you outline some of the good ones.
count me in that group. because it is my history. 🙂
razib, you seem to know the nooks and crannies of every era of every history for every culture in every part of the world. The whole world is your history:) At least, that is my impression. 😉
nina, you’re amerikan, i’m amerikan. thatz enough for me to care about the showa.
Thanks for your well wishes…fantasyland or not…
Obviously as stated in an earlier comment I wouldn’t ban the swastika, heck i’d educated those who are not familiar with it’s earlier usage.. just because some idiot (hitler) used it differently, doesn’t mean i should stop using it… as you see in an earlier statment..
Were you raised here? I heard and had to endure ‘Dot Lottery’ ‘Bindi Bingo’ comments… Oh ‘you’re vegetarian, does that mean the mowed grass is what you eat?’… some parts of this country are more ignorant than others… and yes, most people in this country can’t even FIND the USA on a map let alone a foreign country…
Doesn’t matter.. just because others are ignorant, doesn’t mean you have to be..
Another thing is a large amount of hindu indian support for israel, for better or worse, as it is a voice against islam/pakistan to these guys.
That too? I was depressed enough when I read that Baluchistan has aligned itself with Isra’el.
Nina,
You have brought out some very intelligent parallels. I have heard similar Mother Myth from Russia (Maxim Gorky’s novel) and even from Arab friends.
Also, in India (my comment #.49), I think everyone is not aware of Hitler’s Final solution. However, recently, India and Israel have become quite close.
Hitler resturuant is just done in bad taste and/ or ignorance. I am sure Bombay Jews will make enough noise and let the guy see the light. Some education in the process will help. I do not think owner was History major from St. Stephen’s College (Delhi U.) or a Dosco, to begin with.
I also agree if we had Chengiz Khan eatery then it will not that offensive, as it happened long time ago.
SatyaP:
Yes.
Hitler was better looking.
Seriously, it’s not just Che but communism in general. Certainly Mao, Lennin, Stalin, and Pol Pot would be comparitable to Hitler. I saw a CCCP baseball cap the other day. But I am of two minds on this one. The view of Hitler as pure evil prevents us from understanding his appeal, especially among the likes of Joe Kennedy and Martin Heidegger at the time. Communism gets a pass b/c it is the opiate of the intellectuals and it is the intellectuals who write history. Hitler’s appeal to nationalism and racism is much more working class; he represents the “other” in the minds of the educated.
But che is easy for many of us to identify w/: his looks, his idealism, his education, allows us to make excuses for his totalitarianism. And I realize you cannot understand him w/o considering the fact that he genuinely wanted to represent the wretched of the earth. But does that really distinguish him from Hitler?
I also agree if we had Chengiz Khan eatery then it will not that offensive, as it happened long time ago.
should i change my last name? 🙂
“And I realize you cannot understand him w/o considering the fact that he genuinely wanted to represent the wretched of the earth. But does that really distinguish him from Hitler?”
Ah, yes….pol pot and stalin etc. are ONE thing, Che is another. Hitler wanted to represent the wretched of the EARTH?? I think not my dear poster. More like an embittered failed artist lashing out (with horrible consequences) at what he perceived as the group holding him back – oh, as if…
PS – the words woud be “Lenin” and “comparable”
oops, “would”, not “woud”
Hitler’s appeal to nationalism and racism is much more working class; he represents the “other” in the minds of the educated.
just a quibble, but the national socialist party had broad cross-class appeal by the early 1930s (with perhaps a slight tilt toward the petite bourgieos, but i’m working off memory).
Seriously, it’s not just Che but communism in general.
Nah, I deeply disagree and object to this. Amrikka and it’s “communism-as-satan” tales have got westerners in a perpetual anti-commie frenzy. It’s all econo-political hatred.
“And I realize you cannot understand him w/o considering the fact that he genuinely wanted to represent the wretched of the earth. But does that really distinguish him from Hitler?”
Oh yes, “Manju” – I forgot to mention that the SIX MILLION+ dead Jews/Gypsies/etc. might well slightly distinguish Che Guevara from old Adolph… But that is just me.
che geuvera:otto skorzeny
True enough, but it would also distinguish Hitler from David Duke…but I still wouldn’t be wearing a david Duke t-shirt…but hey, that’s just me.
An interesting analysis about Hitler and India on the Deutsche Welle web site:
“Manju” – connecting Guevara to a David Duke is flawed logic at best – nice try. Have you ever been to latin america and talked to the “wretched” about what they make of him? Can I use the term “wingnut” on here?? ;-)))
An interesting analysis about Hitler and India on the Deutsche Welle web site:
I wonder how many of you here think that Fidel Castro is a wicked man, a demon almost. Such data would allow me to see where ya’ll fit in the box, as it were.
About the other Kumar on this thread:
It wasn’t me (for, I think, the 3rd or 4th time?…a losing battle I’m in, isn’t it? 😉 )
Regards, Kumar Certified as the better sort of Sand-N***** by Razib the Atheist 😉
no kapz in my mame please.
Sorry, “Vikram” – the Aryan thing in India is a bit of myth – sadly, it has propagated and you’ll need to provide a link that works about all this. If the stat you state is true, very sad, beyond words.
Razib:
Damn, R., you’re quick to the keyboard! The kapz were just a token of the high esteem I have for you 😉
Regards, Kumar
SatyaP: Doesn’t that link provided with the excerpt work ? If not here it is: http://www2.dw-world.de/southasia/germany-india/1.134171.1.html
You’re observing a human universal. dictators (or would-be dictators) don’t emerge out of a vacuum, but rather often have the “will of the people” behind them, as machiavelli often noted. hitler was elected and many in russia still love stalin and lenin.
i’m not putting che in th same class as the above, if that is your concern, i’m only pointing out his totalitarian leanings. after all, he did have something to do with one of the longest lasting dicatatorships of our time, a dictator that has considerable popular support (like most).
i don’t disagree w/ what you say about che’s popularity, i only add that the same could be said about hitler at the time. his appeal cannot be reduced to mere reactionary and xenophobic forces, although that is a major part. consider why men like martin heidegger found naziam appealing. as susan sontag once said, “Communism is fascism with a human face”…and i think this is most appapro to che; since so many only know his face.
hitler was elected
quibble…quibble…but he was appointed chancellor in a coalition government.
btw, talking about che is taking this thread off target! let’s focus on how ignorant indians are please….
damn, i knew you’d get me on that as i typed it. i only meant to provide evidence to one of machiavelli’s major piece of advice to would be princes, that the most powerful weapon one has is the will of the people. as he put it one time, which is very apprapo for all of us: “No matter how powerful ones armies, in order to enter a country one needs the goodwill of the people”
Thank you Manju for the elaboration – i do hear what you are saying, but i still, even though I am no fan of communism as policy (and of course, any rosy ideals, left OR right, are always corrupted by the powers involved – in the US these days, it happens to be the right, given their control of all 3 branches of gov’t), cannot put the two (com. and fascism) on equal footing. But I do appreciate your explanation.
Vikram – sorry – i think my internet was acting up – the link works how. How sad, these results. But do some research on the Indian Aryan myth – Hitler’s “Aryans” are not the same as what we are thinking of/take “pride” in, fullstop.
ps – razib, you cynical bastard, we can still focus on desi ignorance!!
SatyaP:
Unfortunately, I have no access executed cuban peasants. And for some reason, I cannot visit the Cuban labor camp system, which Che founded.
But since we cannot speak with murdered or jailed cuban dissidents, I guess we should just put “The Butcher of the Cabana” on a t-shirt and celebrate his idealism.