A Connecticut brewery publicly apologized to Indians offended by its label that uses Mohandas Gandhi’s name and image on its Gandhi-Bot beer.
The apology came after a petition was filed in an Indian court arguing that New England Brewing Co.’s use of the image on alcohol was punishable by law, the BBC reports. Gandhi himself had come down harshly against alcohol during his life.
The company posted an apology to its Facebook page on Jan. 3, writing that the beer was meant as a tribute to the civil rights icon and that Gandhi’s family members were aware of the label and liked it:
We apologize to any Indian people that find our Gandhi-Bot label offensive. Our intent is not to offend anyone but rather pay homage and celebrate a man who we respect greatly. We take great care in creating a product we hope will not be abused in the manner that Mahatma Gandhi spoke of when referencing alcohol. So many Indian people here in America love our tribute to him. Gandhi’s granddaughter and grandson have seen the label and have expressed their admiration of the label. We hope that you understand our true intent and learn to respect our method and the freedom we have to show our reverence for Gandhi.
On its website, New England Brewing Co. describes the beer as an Indian pale ale with a blend of three American Hops. “Aromatic and fully vegetarian, Gandhi-Bot is an ideal aid for self-purification and the seeking of truth and love.”
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