BHUBANESWAR: International carrier Air India (AI) on Saturday apologised for an article published in its in-flight magazine 'Shubh Yatra', saying non-vegetarian dishes are prepared in the kitchen of Jagannath Temple at Puri.
"AI apologises for the error. Our intention was not to hurt sentiments. Shubh Yatra magazine copies have been removed with immediate effect," Air India stated in a tweet.
The article titled 'Devotion Can Be Delicious' in the in-flight monthly magazine stated: 'Said to be the largest in the country, the Jagannath Temple's kitchen in Puri since its inception has had an army of 500 cooks and 300 helpers to serve 1,00,000 people every day round the clock, which means almost 285 varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are served every day.'
Strongly reacting to the article, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had described it as unfortunate. "The issue will be taken up strongly with the appropriate authority," he said.
Earlier in the day, members of Jagannath Sena, an outfit working for protection and promotion of Jagannath culture, staged a demonstration in front of Jagannath Temple to protest against the article published in the magazine of Air India.
Members of the outfit sat on a dharna in front of the temple demanding strong action against Air India officials for the publication of the article.