Chef, restaurateur, and television personality Atul Kochhar has apologised for posting an anti-Muslim comment.
Kochhar has appeared on television shows such Masterchef Goes Large and Great British Menu. He also launched the successful Benares restaurant chain.
Today he tweeted, "There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many."
There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many.
— Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) June 11, 2018
He later tweeted another apology
— Atul Kochhar (@atulkochhar) June 12, 2018
In an earlier tweet which has since been deleted he said, "It is sad to see you have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorised by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on you."
This itself was aimed at Priyanka Chopra who starred in a controversial episode of US hit show Quantico.
In it, Chopra’s character, Alex Parrish, thwarts a plan ochestrated by Hindu extremists. The terrorists had tried to frame Pakistanis for the attack planned ahead of a summit on Kashmir.
She herself has since apologised for the plotline after furore by Indians worldwide. Priyanka didn’t create, write or direct the show but she was labelled a traitor nonetheless by some Indians.
He was vilified by Twitter users...
Been wanting to go to @Benaresofficial and have it on my ‘list of restaurants to visit’ because they serve halal food but will never step foot in there, following the vitriolic Islamophobia displayed by @atulkochhar #BoycottBenares
— Fatima (@FBRajina) June 10, 2018
Atul blamed the whole of Islam for the problems in India while ignoring the role of the British and other religious groups. But oh dear, swearing. Dont defend him, he is just sorry he got caught by tweeting hastily. True colours.
— Aliya Zaidi (@aliyazaidi) June 10, 2018
Poor @atulkochhar. Terrorized by Islam for 2000 years, hence opened a restaurant in Dubai . Shame on us all. pic.twitter.com/gFptQLJxdY
— Zaeem (@ZaeemSheikh) June 10, 2018
You don't need to be profiting of 'terrorists' right? Stop serving halal food at Benares. I for one will never be eating there again. You sound like an extremist and you're everything that's wrong with the world.
— Amna (@amna__kay) June 10, 2018
Who wants to tell atulkochhar that Islam is not even 2000 years old? 🤦🏽♀️ #Islamophobia pic.twitter.com/a3c1vfBouE
— Sabeena (@pocobookreader) June 10, 2018
Havnt been on Twitter in a while but felt it was my duty to spread the word about the horrible tweets from @atulkochhar and will not be supporting his restaurant endeavours in my beautiful city #SpreadLoveNotHate
— Halal Boy In Brum (@halalboyinbrum) June 11, 2018
But others accepted he made an error.
@atulkochhar he’s my brother and I can say for sure that anything said earlier was not meant in malice.
— Aktar Islam (@aktarislam) June 10, 2018
Love to all ❤️💜💚💙💛🧡 🙏🏽
Yesterday @atulkochhar unblocked me and made contact. I clearly explained why I ( like many others) felt upset and why he was wrong. I feel this👇🏽 apology is genuine. I hope there is dialogue not biogtry in future and look forward to a change for the better.#RamadanSpirit pic.twitter.com/FDfJRMQyl4
— Siema Iqbal (@siemaiqbal) June 12, 2018
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