The small Connecticut brewery which has landed itself in a major controversy over using Mahatma Gandhi’s name and cartoon image for its popular brand of beer has announced that it is looking for a “respectful and manageable” way to resolve the row.
The New England Brewing Company, which has reportedly received threats over the issue, has already offered a formal apology for using a robotic cartoon image of Gandhiji on the cans of its high-selling beer brand, called Gandhi-Bot. “After threats and some truly hurtful assumptions about the incredibly caring people that work for New England Brewing Company we are working on finding the best way to amend this situation in a manner that both is respectful to those who are offended as well as a way that is manageable for our small company,” the brewery said in a post on its Facebook page on Thursday.
The brewery, it turns out, has been marketing this beer within Connecticut for some years now. According to reports, it is five years after the company began brewing the double India pale ale that it has been confronted with a lawyer’s private lawsuit in a Hyderabad court, seeking action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and Section 124-A of IPC relating to use of inflammatory words, signs or visible representation. “We have a great appreciation for the non-violent benevolent ideas that Gandhi taught. The fact that we consume or make alcohol in no way negates the value we find in what he taught,” the brewery said.