"apology" news and stories

Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Photo: Meanest Indian, Flickr

For the second time this year, Burger King has apologized for a sandwich ad. The burger chain has pulled an ad showing the Hindu goddess Lakshmi's image over a sandwich after complaints that it implied the deity ate beef; Hindus believe the cow is sacred.

The Hindu American Foundation, via its website, called for an immediate cease to the campaign calling it, "highly disrespectful and offensive to Hindus worldwide."

The ad, which ran only in Spain, showed Lakshmi over a trio of foods (including a doughnut) with the phrase "la merienda es sagrada" -- the snack is sacred, the Telegraph reports.

"We are apologizing because it wasn't our intent to offend anyone," spokeswoman Denise T. Wilson said to the Telegraph. "Burger King Corporation 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."

In April, a Burger King ad for the "Texican" burger that showing a small wrestler with a Mexican-flag-like cape angered Mexican officials, prompting the chain to apologize.

[Via Telegraph]