http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9520451/McDonalds-facing-Hindu-protests-over-restaurants-near-holy-sites.html
McDonald’s in India is trying to increase its restaurant numbers in India and this time it has chosen to open near two of India’s most revered religious centres and pilgramage sites. This has caused protests from the Hindus because chains like McDonald’s that slaughter millions of cows, sacred to Indians, each year are unfit to be placed by such holy sites or what Hindus believe to be “havens”.
The second McDonald’s restaurant in India is located in the centre of the Sikh religion in Punjab. The Sikhs are actually not forbidden to eat meat, however their temples still serve them free vegetarian meals. Although McDonald’s has served beef since it first opened in Delhi, India in 1996, to attract more local customers, McDonald’s has opened more vegetarian outlets over time to the point where it is now quite distinct from its Western outlets.
The ethical issue: By locating near holy sites, McDonald’s, as a cow slaughterer, is mocking the Hindus’ beliefs in cows being sacred animals right at the centre of their religion, the shrines.
Although McDonald’s, in order to expand its business, has globalized the whole entire world with its chains and altered its menus, the globalization of its market has caused problems and disturbed the workings of cultures such as the Hindus. Businesses should really think about the cons and ethics as well before acting.