Madhu Patel
CHICAGO: Hugely piqued at Menat (Auvergne, France) based Brasserie Des Sagnes microbrewery using Lord Shiva image for marketing its beer, members of Indian community across the USA have asked it to withdraw its Boom Shiva (India Pale Ale) beer.
It is pointed out that the use of usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay with the community  as it hurt the devotees.
Rajan Zed,  president of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out  that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought In Hinduism. Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.
According to reports, beers produced by Brasserie Des Sagnes, said to be one of the oldest French artisanal breweries still operating, is also sold at various markets, stores, restaurants, etc., in France. Boom Shiva (India Pale Ale) beer (33cl – 5%vol), said to be brewed with five different hops, was selling online at another site for 3.20 € per bottle
