Dayton (Ohio) based Eudora Brewing Company (EBC) apologized and removed Hindu deity Lord Ganesh’s image, associated with its “Samsara Imperial Rye IPA” beer, from its website, within few hours of Hindu protest calling it “highly inappropriate”.

Neil Chabut, Owner & Founder of EBC, in an email to Hindu statesman Rajan Zed of Reno, NV, who spearheaded the protest, wrote: “…Our first response is one of apology to the Hindu community, especially our neighbors in Dayton, for any hurt we may have caused. Upon approving the design of this beer, our intent was not one of frivolity or marginalization… We realize now that there was a much wider audience that needed to be considered in regards to this design, and all designs, and apologize for our lapse in judgement… We will be removing the existing Samsara label from our portfolio and have already begun the process of designing a new label void of any usage of Hindu deities, concepts or symbols…”

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada today, thanked Chabut and EBC for understanding the concerns of Hindu community which thought the image of Lord Ganesh on such a product was highly insensitive.

Rajan Zed suggested that companies should send their senior executives for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they had an understanding of the feelings of customers and communities when introducing new products or launching advertising campaigns.

Zed had earlier said that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Rajan Zed had indicated that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.