‘No onion, no garlic’ McDonald’s burgers for Shravan gets mixed reactions from netizens
'No onion, no garlic' McDonald’s burgers for Shravan gets mixed reactions from netizens
McDonald’s India introduced a special menu this year too, which includes McCheese Burger and McAloo Tikki Burger, omitting onion and garlic
August 10, 2024
For the month of Shravan, a period considered sacred in the Hindu calendar, McDonald’s India has launched “no onion, no garlic” burgers.
With this, the company aims to cater to a larger section of society, who follow the dietary restrictions observed by many Hindus during this auspicious month. However, this attempt has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
During Shravan, many Hindus abstain from eating meat, fish, eggs, onion, and garlic altogether. Those who fast observe stricter dietary restrictions, forgoing wheat, pulses, legumes, and vegetables like onion and garlic which are considered ‘tamasic’. Therefore, McDonald’s India introduced a special menu this year too, which includes McCheese Burger and McAloo Tikki Burger, omitting onion and garlic.
“Now if you observe Shravan, you know that this period encourages followers to partake in a diet that’s balanced and vegetarian in nature. In support of our customers’ sentiments, it’s always a good feeling knowing that the McDonald’s India menu caters to our many distinct Indian communities!” the fast food chain said while announcing the menu.
However, a food vlogger’s Instagram reel introducing the special menu divided opinions on social media.
Some critics argued that consuming fast food or outside food during Shravan contradicted the spirit of the month. Others pointed out that people fasting during the month could not eat the bun as it is made of maida (refined wheat flour).
Comments on the post reflected these sentiments: “Can’t we restrict ourselves from eating at such locations during this holy month?” questioned one user. Another noted, “Why do you even want to eat such fancy food in this holy month? At least for one month, eat homely food.”
Concerns were also raised about the use of refined wheat flour (maida) in the burger buns, with one commenter asking, “Since when can we eat maida during fasting days?”
Several social media users were also concerned about the preparation of the Shravan special items in the same kitchen where non-vegetarian food is also cooked.
“But the oil used to fry will be the same on regular tikki which will have garlic and onion so no use,” a user remarked. One user stated, “Please stop this hypocrisy! Influencers will do anything for money. Don’t fall for it. This chain is known for its unethical meat products. It’s ‘tamsik’ even without onion and garlic.”
Later, some clarified that not all Hindus do not fast during Shravan but still abstain from eating onion and garlic.
