Melbourne: An Australian brewery has apologised for using images of Hindu deities Ganesh and Lakshmi on its alcoholic ginger beer bottles after the labels triggered an outrage from the Indian community.
"We're lovers, not fighters, we want to make it right. With recent feedback brought to our attention, we will be looking at design options for our bottles," the Brookvale Union Brewery said in an apology.
The labels had juxtaposed image of Lord Ganesh's face and Goddess Lakshmi's body, besides displaying various other Hindu religious symbols.
Indian community leaders in Australia had demanded that the New South Wales-based brewery apologise and immediately withdraw the offensive labels.
This was not the first time Hindu symbols have been used inappropriately by commercial brands in Australia.
In 2011, Hindus were outraged when the image of the goddess Lakshmi was portrayed on a swimsuit at Australian Fashion Week. The company immediately pulled the item from production and apologised for any offence caused.
The brewery has asked 'graphic designers, artists and even doodlers' to come up with a better design by Nov 24.
