Bengaluru: A seemingly routine breakfast at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport turned into a public relations nightmare for The Rameshwaram Cafe on Thursday, when a customer alleged finding a worm in his pongal, sparking widespread outrage on social media. However, the popular South Indian restaurant chain has fired back, claiming the incident was a meticulously staged act by a group of extortionists demanding Rs 25 lakhs to suppress a viral video.

The controversy erupted early on July 24, when a passenger at the airport outlet reported discovering an insect – described variously as a worm or cockroach-like – in his dish. A video of the alleged contamination quickly circulated online, showing the customer confronting staff who, according to the complainant, initially attempted to downplay the issue by suggesting it was a “small particle” before offering a replacement. “I was shocked and disgusted,” the unnamed customer said in the clip, which has garnered thousands of views and ignited debates over food hygiene at high-traffic locations like airports.

Social media users expressed horror, with many tagging health authorities and calling for inspections. One X post from DailyDigest360 highlighted the incident, raising broader concerns about food safety at the cafe, known for its idlis, dosas, and filter coffee. Comments ranged from demands for boycotts to sympathy for the customer, amplifying the video’s reach.

In a swift rebuttal, The Rameshwaram Cafe issued a press release denying any contamination and labeling the event a blackmail scheme. According to the cafe’s Operations Head, a group of 5-7 individuals created a disturbance by falsely claiming an insect in the food, then threatened to share the video unless compensated.

Shortly after, the cafe received a phone call demanding Rs 25 lakhs in cash to prevent reputational damage.

Founder Divya Raghav categorically rejected the accusations, stating, “We operate under the strictest quality protocols, especially at sensitive locations like airports, where routine audits and hygiene checks are mandatory. This is clearly a case of a staged act with malicious intent to extort money and malign our brand.” She added that similar attempts – involving stones or insects planted in food – have occurred in the past, with perpetrators caught red-handed. The cafe has submitted call records, message screenshots, and other documentation to the police, urging immediate legal action. 6 10

“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will pursue stringent legal action to ensure such unethical acts are exposed and discouraged,” Raghav emphasised.

This isn’t the first brush with controversy for The Rameshwaram Cafe, one of India’s most beloved quick-service chains specialising in authentic South Indian cuisine. Founded in 1924 and revived in recent years, it gained national attention after a low-intensity bomb blast at its Brookfield outlet in March 2024, which injured several people. That incident, linked to terror motives, led to heightened security measures across its branches.

Here is the statement from Rameshwaram Cafe:

“The Rameshwaram Café, one of India’s most loved South Indian quick service restaurant brands, has filed an official police complaint against a group of individuals who attempted to malign the brand and extort money by staging a false incident of food contamination at its Bengaluru airport outlet.

According to the formal complaint lodged by the brand’s Operations Head, the incident occurred on the morning of 24th July 2025, when a group of 5-7 individuals created a public disturbance, falsely alleging that the food served contained an insect. Reportedly, the individuals then threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were compensated. Shortly after, the team received a phone call demanding Rs 25 lakhs in cash to avoid reputational harm to the brand.

In response, The Rameshwaram Café has submitted call records, message screenshots, and other documentation to the police, requesting immediate legal action against the blackmail attempt.

Dismissing the allegations, Divya Raghav, Founder of The Rameshwaram Café, stated, “We categorically deny the baseless accusation that a worm or insect was found in our food. The safety and hygiene of our food preparation are non-negotiable.

We operate under the strictest quality protocols, especially at sensitive locations like airports, where routine audits and hygiene checks are mandatory. This is clearly a case of a staged act with malicious intent to extort money and malign our brand.” Divya further added, “There have been similar attempts in the past where in different instances customers have put stones, insects in the food but were caught red-handed. We will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will pursue stringent legal action to ensure such unethical acts are exposed and discouraged.”

The Rameshwaram Café urges the public and media to refrain from sharing unverified content that could mislead consumers and damage the reputation of businesses working with integrity.”