Restaurant Named after Hitler Angers Jewish in Bombay

In Kharghar, New Bombay, a suburb about 30 miles north of Bombay, a small restaurant has riled the small Jewish community. The name of the restaurant is Hitler’s Cross, and the décor features posters of Adolf Hitler and swastikas lining the walls and the sign outside. But there has been little controversy in the rest of the country, because in India there is limited awareness of the Holocaust, and swastikas are an ancient Hindu symbol, displayed all around the country to bring luck.

There only 5,500 Jews in all of India, and 4,500 of them live in Bombay. In the context of Bombay’s entire population, that number is a tiny fraction of the citizenry, so the opening of Hitler’s Cross has caused little stir. But the Jewish community is outraged.

Daniel Zonshine, Israel’s consul general in Bombay, plans to ask the local government to force the owner to change the name of the restaurant. "Instead of Hitler’s name being an example of extreme evil, this is like giving legitimacy to Hitler. It’s not right to advertise his name in public." One of the community’s leaders, Elijah Jacob, told the Associated Press, "It’s really made people very upset that a person responsible for the massacre of 6 million Jews can be glorified."

Local politicians and movie industry executives were on hand to celebrate the opening of Hitler’s Cross. A local ruling party leader, Sudhir Jadhave, didn’t see why the name bothered people. "People are unnecessarily making this into an issue," he said. "We have no plans to protest outside the restaurant or ask him to change the name."

The "him" is owner Puneet Sablok, who is aware of the controversy but refuses to do anything about it. "It’s just to attract people," said Sablok. "There is no intention to hurt anyone." Diners are also quite happy with the food offered at Hitler’s Cross. The restaurant, which is spacious and nicely appointed, features pizza, pastries, and salad. "Hitler was a bad man, but what’s wrong with having food here?" said Ashwini Phadnis, 22, a microbiology student. Engineering student Anand Dhillon agreed. "I think the name is quite interesting. Tomorrow if someone keeps a name like Saddam Mutton Shop or George Bush Footwear, there's nothing wrong with that, is there?"