This is real intolerance: Twitter after celebrity chef Atul Kocchar apologises for 'anti-Islam' tweet

A popular Indian-origin chef in the United Arab Emirates has landed in a controversy after he allegedly posted an anti-Islam tweet, triggering calls for his sacking, a media report said on Tuesday.

Atul Kochhar, a Michelin-Star chef well known here for his Rang Mahal Indian restaurant at the JW Marriott Marquis hotel, received flak after taking a dig at Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra for her tweet over an episode in American television series 'Quantico' that purportedly portrayed Hindu nationalists as terrorists, the Khaleej Times reported.

"It's sad to see that you (Priyanka) have not respected the sentiments of Hindus who have been terrorized by Islam over 2000 years. Shame on You (sic)," Kochhar tweeted. He later deleted the tweet and apologised for the "major error" that was "made in the heat of the moment on Sunday", the paper said.

"There is no justification for my tweet ... I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded round 1400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many," Kochhar tweeted yesterday.

The anti-Islam tweet created a furore on social media, with twitterati calling for firing the chef. Popular commentator and Arab journalist Khaled Almaeena tweeted: "You (Kochhar) have offended me..As a person who loves India its people no matter what their caste or creed. As a secular and liberal, it truly is a horror statement." Some said they would boycott the restaurant. "Chef celebrity showed his true colours. I won't eat here after reading the racist tweets by the head chef," a UAE resident posted on his Facebook page.

"I have cancelled my wedding anniversary meal for next month at your restaurant. You knew exactly what you meant as you tweeted that message," another Twitter user added.

JW Marriot hotel, however, distanced itself from the chef's comments. "We are aware of the comments made by Chef Atul Kochhar. We would like to stress that we do not share the same views as stated in the remark, nor is it a representation of the culture of diversity and inclusion that we pride ourselves on at the hotel," the hotel tweeted.

How Indian Twitter reacted to his apology: 

Where is award wapasi gang? https://t.co/PyhqxnIxvz

— Sourabh (@iphoneboy_me) June 12, 2018

I don't have to either agree or endorse his views to say that nobody should be bullied, prosecuted, arrested or jailed for speaking her/his mind - - however absurd might that be. #FOE https://t.co/VBSkeIATix

— Pragya (@_pragyaa) June 12, 2018

This is how minorities are silenced in Islamic Countries. https://t.co/sZLmTXVTk0

— Dr. Latha (@DrlathaC) June 12, 2018

@SushmaSwaraj plz see that @atulkochhar is unharmed and give assistance if required. Dubai celebrity chef could face prosecution for anti-Islam comments https://t.co/jQ7KrVszZQ

— Gita S. Kapoor (@GitaSKapoor) June 12, 2018

This is the real intolerance! Can not digest a tweet? Huh!! https://t.co/zFOn9oLINQ

— Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) June 13, 2018

This is a bit too much, but this is what you get if you try to spread hatred.

Come back to India, you'd be hailed here I'm sure. https://t.co/mXrggr79Fa

— V.I.V.E.K (@ivivek_nambiar) June 12, 2018

Dubai celebrity chef could face prosecution for anti-Islam comments

Kochhar, who was born in India, is a renowned international celebrity chef, TV star and author of three best-selling cookery bookshttps://t.co/76URQrP7n2

— Amrita Bhinder (@amritabhinder) June 12, 2018

Atul Kochhar has been PERSECUTED for exercising his right to freedom of speech. What a shame! His comment is far less odious than the comments made by media celebrities day in day out. In solidarity with him & his FoE. Liberals have lost it. They are today standing with tyranny. https://t.co/SFwiGL0lzT

— Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) June 13, 2018

Dear @SushmaSwaraj please intervene if need be and help @atulkochhar tide over this. He could face a 5 year jail term because some jobless morons blew up a simple tweet. https://t.co/UH1PyhFpJ2

— Ashu (@muglikar_) June 12, 2018

With inputs from PTI