'No one objected.' Hitler
Photo: AP
Indian Jews enraged over shop called Hitler
Shop owner says he named store after Nazi tyrant because it was the nickname of his business partner's grandfather; agrees to change name in return for financial compensation
The Jewish community in India is enraged after a clothing store owner in the western city of Ahmedabad decided to name his shop after Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler.
Times of India reported on Monday that members of Magen Avraham synagogue in the city turned to the store owner, asking that he change the name. The owner, Rajesh Shah, claimed that for an entire month he posted a sign at the place reading: "The store Hitler coming soon," and no one had objected to the name.
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Shah noted that he did not intend to offend anyone, and that the shop was named "after my business partner's grandfather who was nicknamed Hitler because of his stern character."
In a meeting with Jewish community members on Sunday, Shah claimed he had spent a large sum of money on branding the store – including business cards and registration forms – and that he is willing to change the name if he receives financial compensation.
Magen Avraham Synagogue secretary told Indian Express newspaper that the shop owner agreed to change the Nazi swastika symbol on the storefront to a Hindu swastika, which is commonly used in India as a decorative element on alters, pictures and in Hindo iconography.
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