Nagpur the city with RSS headquarters sees no problem in glorification of Hitler

The Times of India


'Hitler's Den' angers Israeli embassy

Abhishek Choudhari, TNN | Mar 21, 2011, 10.31pm IST

NAGPUR: 'Hitler's Den', a pool parlour in Byramji Town, is ruffling feathers due to its name. The commercial establishment's sign board is replete with Nazi insignia, while the Black swastika in the white background is encircled in red with golden coloured eagles prominent in the logo. The only difference is that the swastika is not tilted as in the Nazi emblem. Given the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler, the use of the repulsive symbol has not gone down well with many. Officials at the embassy of Israel were shocked to hear of the parlour in Nagpur.

In an email to TOI, spokesman for the Israel embassy David Golfarb said, "We can only assume that the owners of this new establishment are unaware of the horrendous meaning of the usage of Nazi themes and insignia for commercial gain. We are convinced that once they are apprised of the significance of the Nazi massacre of six million innocent Jews and many others throughout Europe during World War II, they will immediately change the name and remove all symbolism related to this atrocious regime."

In Navi Mumbai, a restaurant named 'Hitler's Cross' had opened up four years ago. After objections were raised, its owner Satish Sabhlok decided to change the name.

However, the owners of Nagpur-based Hitler's Den are in no mood to relent. Speaking to TOI, owner Baljeet Ghosal, said "There is no way we will change the name. We have been operating under this name since 2006 and now opened another one in Laxmi Nagar under the same banner. It is our identity."

When asked why he chose such a controversial name, Ghosal replied, "I just wanted a different sounding name. Someone suggested 'Hitler' and I promptly agreed. Plus whatever you are saying about his atrocities on Jews, who in Nagpur knows all this? No one has raised any objection yet."

When informed that the Israel embassy had taken objection, Ghosal said he understood their sentiments but will not agree to their demand. Noted Pune-based history author Santosh Shintre said, "It's shocking to hear about this shop in Nagpur. Hitler is not just a name, but a thought, a philosophy which has had horrible effect on human and world history. Plus what has Hitler got to do with snooker? There's no justification for the name. I have seen a pub in Paris which is named after Gandhi! (La Mahatma)".

Shintre also added that crimes against humanity have been committed against other communities as well, but the media has failed to highlight it. He says in the west, Holocaust has got sustained media exposure as compared to other incidents.

Well known sociologist, and member of the Censor Board, Dr Nandini Sardesai says, "This is ignorance on the part of society. If there is negligible or no presence of Jews in Nagpur why can't the civil society as a whole stand up and protest? While censoring movies we have to watch out for every word so that sentiments are not hurt. So just because their (Jews) numbers are not huge you don't value their sentiments? This glorification of Hitler is shocking".

Anil Bobade, ACP, Special Branch told TOI that no one can use names which offend religious sentiments, and criminal case can be registered against the promoters. Bobade said, "We were not aware of this shop. Till now no one has filed a complaint, but we will surely check up."

The owner of Hitler's Den, Ghosal said, "It is unfair to ask us to change the name. If people feel bad about the name, we are sorry about it".