After row, US beer company agrees to remove Gandhi's image from product

Washington, Jan 24: A US microbrewery on Friday said that it will stop using the name and image of Mahatma Gandhi on one of its beers. This development comes after complaints from Indian community.

According to Times of India report, Connecticut based New England Brewing Company had been marketing its India pale ale under the name "Gandhi-Bot", with a label and cartoon image that showed a robot version of Mahatma Gandhi.

"After careful consideration we feel that renaming Gandhi-Bot is the right move (the beer will remain the same)," a statement from the company was quoted as saying in the report. The report further quoted the statement as, "Taking these steps will allow us to express our support for the Indian-American community while also limiting any economic losses."

Few months ago, a petition was filed in a Hyderabad court alleging the US-based company has insulted the father of the nation following which the liquor company had apologised. The company even claimed that its intention was to pay homage and celebrate the apostle of peace and that Gandhi's granddaughter and grandson have expressed their admiration for the label.

The beer brand is called "Gandhi-Bot", which the company says is an intensely hopped double India pale with a blend of three varieties of American Hops.

An advocate had filed a petition before XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Cyberabad, Sunkari Janardhan Goud contending that Gandhi's image on the alcohol cans and description of the father of the nation by the brewery is highly condemnable and punishable under Indian laws. The petition submitted that it amounts to offences under Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and 124-A of IPC (related to us inflammatory words, signs or visible representation).

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)