Burger King apologises to Hindus for offensive ad

AD-DING FUEL TO FIRE: The fast food chain quickly withdrew the advertisement from its stores in Spain.

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Washington: Global fast food chain Burger King has apologised to Hindus for running an advertisement in Spain that showed an Indian Goddess with a 'forbidden' Whopper burger.

The advertisement had a picture of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, about to eat a beef burger. The goddess and the burger were placed under a slogan claiming 'La merienda es sagrada' (The snack is sacred).

The fast food chain quickly withdrew the advertisement from its stores in Spain after Hindus across the world complained over the denigration of their religion.

The depiction of Lakshmi in the ad for 'Texican Whopper' has provoked widespread anger with its suggestion that a Hindu deity eats beef.

Burger King withdrew the posters and issued an apology after Hindu leaders condemned the chain for its insensitivity.

"We are apologising because it wasn't our intent to offend anyone," said Spokesperson Denise T Wilson.

"Burger King Corp values and respects all of its guests as well as the communities we serve. This in-store advertisement was running to support only local promotion for three restaurants in Spain and was not intended to offend anyone. Out of respect for the Hindu community, the limited-time advertisement has been removed from the restaurants," she added.

Earlier this year, Burger King offended Mexican officials with another advertisement for the 'Texican Whopper' which depicted a dwarf dressed as a wrestler draped in the Mexican flag.