Gandhi’s great-grandson backs marketing campaign to save lots of UK’s first Indian restaurant
EXCLUSIVE: Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant is currently in a fierce row over its survival. However Gandhi’s great-grandson has rushed to voice his support of the UK’s first curry house
Tushar Gandhi has pledged his support to save the Veeraswarmy (Image: Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Gandhi’s great-grandson has backed the Daily Star’s campaign to save Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant.
Tushar Gandhi, head of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in India, is supporting the Veeraswamy in its battle to stay open. The human rights activist, 66, has dubbed the historical establishment a British institution that needs to be protected.
He said his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, who visited the London restaurant in 1931, would be proud of the legacy the iconic eatery has forged over the past decades. The social activist and author told the Daily Star: “The British are known to be very proud and protective of their historic heritage and Veeraswamy has definitely become a part of British Heritage and history.”
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He added: “I don’t think it is important to preserve Veeraswamy because M. K. Gandhi patronised it at one time. It must be preserved and protected because for hundreds of years it has served so many hundreds of thousands of Britishers.”
The Michelin-starred restaurant, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month, faces being kicked out from its building on Regent Street.
Tushar has joined thousands of people in signing a petition protesting against the move. He said: “I too have signed the petition.”
Your Daily Star last month launched a balti battle to save the site, which is the UK’s first curry house. Protesters last week marched upon Buckingham Palace to present their petition of more than 20,000 supporters to King Charles’ royal residence.
They were armed with placards with messages to the monarch reading, “keep calm and curry on”, “Veeraswamy customers are heartbroken”, as well as “King Charles we are good tenants”
The Crown Estate, which owns the building the Veeraswamy is located in, has said a comprehensive refurbishment must be done to bring the building up to modern standards. A Crown Estate spokesperson said: “This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly.” It could see the site converted into office space.
Ranjit Mathrani, 81, joint owner of Veeraswamy, has said: “The world’s oldest Indian restaurant, is being pushed out of its home after nearly 100 years by its landlord, The Crown Estate.
“That’s why we’re calling on Your Majesty King Charles III to intercede with The Crown Estate and The Crown Estate to reconsider this short-sighted decision and protect a historic institution that has stood through war, migration and monarchy.”
The dispute could end up in court with the restaurant challenging the non-renewal of its lease.
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