Malappuram, Kerala: Three persons have been arrested in connection with a Vishu-day promotional poster that depicted Lord Krishna alongside ‘kuzhimathi’, an Arabian non-vegetarian dish, for a restaurant in Valambur, police said on Sunday.

The case relates to Yamama Shawaya restaurant. Authorities said the matter came to light on Saturday, after which a case was registered against the owners and the person handling its social media account.

The arrested were later summoned to the Mankada police station. Their arrests were formally recorded before they were released on bail, officials added.

Social media post featuring Vishu greetings

Police identified those arrested as Musthafa Kunduvayil and Shahul Hameed, the owners of the restaurant, and Muhammed Shahin, who managed its social media account.

The controversial post had been shared on April 14 as part of Vishu greetings. It featured Lord Sree Krishna along with ‘kuzhimanthi’ and carried the caption “Serving the prosperity of taste” on the restaurant’s social media pages, according to police.

Several objections were raised following the post’s circulation.

Case registration and post removal

Police registered the case on their own under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot.

Officials said the post was removed on April 17 after objections were raised by several people.

A similar incident had been reported recently in Cherthala, Alappuzha, where two persons, including a restaurant owner, were arrested, police said.