Alcohol And Religion: Hindus Upset As Czech Brewery Uses Lord Ganesha On IPA Bottles

Hindu officials have asked a Czech Republic brewery to remove images of Indian deity Lord Ganesha from beer bottles, according to reports. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed said in a statement Monday it was “inappropriate” for Primator Brewery or any other alcohol brand to use images of Ganesha and other deities on bottles of Primator IPA, which has 6.7 percent alcohol by volume.

The president of Nevada’s Universal Society of Hinduism said it was “disrespectful” for alcohol companies to use Ganesha, a popular idol with an elephant’s head and four arms, for commercial purposes or any other means besides worship as it “hurts the devotees” or people following Hindu practices. Zed said it was particularly hurtful to use any kind of deity to promote alcoholic products, especially in regards to Hinduism, which does not encourage alcohol consumption.

Primator Brewery, which is based in Náchod, distributes beer in the U.S., Russia, Brazil, Israel, South Korean, Spain, France, Sweden, Italy and the U.K.

In Hinduism, Ganesha is revered as a god of wisdom and remover of obstacles. Many Hindus pray to Genesha before starting a new venture or any kind of major undertaking.

Back in December 2016, Brazil-based Cervejaria Ashby brewery removed images of Ganesha and Lord Vishnu, Hindu's preserver and protector of the universe, from its Ganesha Ambar IPA and Vishnu Red IBA after Zed reportedly issued a statement calling to have the deity’s picture taken off bottles, stating that it was “highly inappropriate” to have Hindu deities on beer bottles.

Following the removal of Ganesha’s image from Cervejaria Ashby IPAs, Zed suggested for other companies to send executives through religious and cultural sensitivity training, according to reports, in hopes that brands will gain a higher understanding of how new products and advertising campaigns that include religious fixtures can hurt followers of certain groups and communities.

There are more than 2.1 million Hindus living in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.