Schweppes International limited removes Lord Ganesha Cocktail after Hindu protest
Netherlands: An Amsterdam-based beverage firm Schweppes International Limited (SIL) has removed the Lord Ganesha Cocktail, earlier promoted on its website, following Hindu protests.
As per the report, the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, who led the protest, thanked SIL for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community, which thought the name of Lord Ganesha on a cocktail was insensitive.
Zed said that they are also looking for an apology from SIL and its parent Suntory Holdings Limited (SHL), based in Japan. Meanwhile, Rajan suggested that such companies should send their senior executives for training to understand the religious and cultural sentiments so that they can understand the feelings of customers and communities.
It will help such companies introducing new products or launching an advertising campaign without hurting religious sentiments. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees, he said.
Rajan stated that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism. He was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be converted into an alcoholic mixed drink served in a cocktail glass for sipping at the bar, he added. SIL and SHL should not be in the business of religious sacrilege and ridiculing entire communities, Zed indicated.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as a god of wisdom who removes the obstacles. Lord Ganesha is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
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Schweppes was founded in 1783, and SIL markets Schweppes brand in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. SHL, founded in 1899, claims to be “a global leader in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages industry.
-PTC News
