Brewery in unholy row over Hindu deity
A SCOTS brewery has sparked an unholy row after offending religious leaders with one of its beer labels.
Tempest Brewing has angered an international Hindu organisation by using an image of Lord Ganesha on its cans of India Pils.
Known as the remover of obstacles, the elephant-headed god, pictured, is one of the religion’s most popular deities.
The Universal Society of Hinduism – jointly based in India and the US – says linking an alcoholic drink to Lord Ganesha is disrespectful.
Rajan Zed, president of the society, which represents a billion Hindus worldwide, said: ‘We are urging Tempest Brewing Company to apologise and withdraw its Lord Ganesha image – it is highly inappropriate. Lord Ganesha is highly revered in Hinduism and is meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines, and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed.
‘Moreover, linking Lord Ganesha with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world and it should not be taken frivolously.
‘Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled.’
Tempest Brewing, formed eight years ago in Tweedbank, Selkirkshire – and which recently launched a seasonal beer called Drop Kick Me Jesus – apologised for any offence.
Director Gavin Meiklejohn said: ‘Tempest Brewing as a company embraces equality and diversity. Therefore we are saddened to hear that our India Pils has caused upset within the Hindu community and we would like to offer our apologies, not only to Rajan Zed but the wider community as well. We would like to assure those who are offended and upset that our artwork was not intended to cause offence and was chosen for its stand-out colours.
‘We are not the first company to have been drawn towards Ganesha, as Mercedes, Reliance Mutual, Renault and IDFC bank have also utilised Ganesha for advertising and marketing, which is why we did not think there would be an issue. We’re happy to immediately remove all written references to Ganesha from our marketing of this beer and will alter the artwork before its next release.’