Case against Pizza Hut, staffer held (Vegetarian, chicken)

Hindustan Times ^ | Sunday, June 23, 2002 | Vinay Menon

[aculeus]

Delhi Police have opened criminal proceedings against Pizza Hut, the world’s largest pizzamakers, for “hurting the religious sentiments” of a vegetarian customer who was allegedly served a chicken dish at the chain’s Vasant Lok outlet.

Exporter Siddharth Jain and his father S.C. Jain visited the outlet at 10.30 p.m. on Friday night and ordered vegetable spaghetti. “But the moment I began eating, I realised to my horror that the dish had pieces of chicken in it,” said Jain.

“I immediately raised a stink and demanded the staff apologise. But they refused and ridiculed me instead.”

Jain then went to the Vasant Vihar police. They registered a case under Section 295A of the IPC — “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”. Then they arrested a waiter.

Jain, a resident of Sainik Farms, has described himself as “very orthodox”, and does not touch even eggs, onions or garlic. “My business takes me all over the world, but I have always eaten vegetarian food. Eating anything non-vegetarian is completely against my religion.”

Virag Joshi, chief executive officer, Devyani International, the Pizza Hut franchisee in India, said Jain’s charges were “completely fabricated and untrue.

“We completely deny that any such mistake took place… This is a clear attempt to tarnish Pizza Hut’s reputation. There is something deeper than what meets the eye, intended at harassing us.”

[maximus@Nashville]

OK, eggs I understand, but when were onions and garlic considered anything but vegitables?

[TheBattman]

Jain, a resident of Sainik Farms, has described himself as “very orthodox”, and does not touch even eggs, onions or garlic. “My business takes me all over the world, but I have always eaten vegetarian food. Eating anything non-vegetarian is completely against my religion.”

I just don't believe this - go to a PIZZA place and order an Italian dish (even vegitarian is going to have garlic and onion - and pasta has egg in it too!). And what does a statement about not touching garlic or onions have to do with being vegitarian - aren't those vegitables?

[oline]

I immediately raised a stink and demanded the staff apologise. But they refused and ridiculed me instead.?

What did they do? Cluck at her?

[cmsgop]

I remember the last time I filed a Section 295A, they all laughed at me too..........

[bvw]

Jainism is a distinct variant of Hinduism, strict Jains -- as I understand -- do not eat stuff that grows inside the ground, onions, garlic, potatoes.

[MarshalNey]

I'm also a vegetarian for religious reasons and if he was as orthodox as he claims, he wouldn't go into a restaurant that served meat. Also I don't know where the hell ge got his no onions or garlic BS.

[monkey]

Jains exclude a whole bunch of vegetarian foods, including pungent vegetables (as do some Buddhists).

[MarshalNey]

ge = he

and thank you bvw, I didn't know that.

[Spyder]

One has to wonder at the wisdom of establishing a franchise in an area where there are a lot of members of this particular sect...

Being vegetarian myself, (lacto-ovo), I've occasionally been served a meat dish accidentally. No need to make a stink, just politely tell the waiter what you'd ordered, that this wasn't it, and have them exchange it. I'd hate to believe in a God that would punish one for ingesting something you weren't even aware was "bad."

[PistolPaknMama]

LOL!

I was thinking, if we got 295A passed here, you think we could get prayer back in the schools?

[goodieD]

I have a very hard time believing that in a country with such a large vegetarian population, that a vegetarian would be ridiculed.

BTW, I've visited a few Indian restaurant websites and have seen their proclamation about absolutely not using onions...and that's dandy with me...I HATE onions! hehe.

[XLurk]

...I HATE onions! ...

I always knew you were working for Sadaam.
How can you hate onions? Brussels sprouts maybe, and kale of course - but onions?

Well, that's OK. You're allowed because we live in a free country.

I just made a pot of homemade french onion soup tonight.
Mmm, Mmm, Good!

[timestax]

that's OK. You're allowed because we live in a free country

At least for a little while longer!

[pariah]

Being vegetarian myself, (lacto-ovo), I've occasionally been served a meat dish accidentally. No need to make a stink,

I agree. As a former vegetarian, I have little sympathy for those who try to sue places like Pizza Hut. Fer cryin' out loud, if you're going to be a vegie, it's YOUR responsibility to watch out for your diet. You don't just take someone's word for it!

As I view diet nowadays, the white flour they use in the dough at Pizza Hut would worry me more than a few morsels of chicken.

[SauronOfMordor]

Jain, a resident of Sainik Farms,

How much you want to bet this has something to do with Sainik Farms not being chosen as a supplier to the Pizza Hut chain?

[freekitty]

I don't believe this at all. Tell me that someone has made this story up. It is more believable.

[goodieD]

hehe... and yet, I put down my onionphobic ways to cook with them on occasion, because I recognize their worth as a flavoring agent. (of course I pick them out later). Did you know the number one favorite food of the Taliban is onions?