MADHU PATEL
CHICAGO: Amsterdam, Netherlands-based Friekens Brewery has removed Lord Ganesh’s image, associated with its I.P.A (India Pale Ale) beer, from its website in the wake of protests from devotees who called it “highly inappropriate”.
Friekens Brewery, in an email to Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protests, wrote: “We would like to apologize for the use of the image of Ganesh on the label of our I.P.A. beer. We never meant to offend anyone. Our apology. All reference to Ganesh and his image have been removed from our website, and we will develop a new brand identity for our I.P.A.”
Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, thanked Friekens Brewery for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community which felt that the image of Lord Ganesh on such a product was highly insensitive.
Lord Ganesh is highly revered in Hinduism and linking his image with an alcoholic beverage hurt the feeling of devotees. Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought, Rajan observed
