Madhu Patel
CHICAGO: A large number of Indians here have asked gLatina (Lazio, Italy) based Pontino Brewery (Birrificio Pontino) to withdraw its “Sons of Shiva” beer; dubbing it highly inappropriate.
Label of Pontino’s “Sons of Shiva” beer (Harvest Pale Ale, American IPA style, 7% ALC, 65 IBU, 13 EBC) carries an image of Lord Ganesha holding a bottle in one hand.
Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda should be highly unwelcomed as it hurts the devotees.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled. Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are highly revered in Hinduism and are meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines, Rajan noted.
Birrificio Pontino, a craft brewery, reportedly includes a plant and a taproom which is open to public. Latina was reportedly founded in 1932 as Littoria by Benito Mussolini.
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