A section of Hindus has been recently been upset over the name of a beer brand. They have urged the Anheuser-Busch InBev to change the name of its popular brand ‘Brahma’ as they claim it to be highly inappropriate.
Lord Brahma who is known as the Creator God in Hinduism has been highly revered and popular among the follower of the faith. As per ardent followers of Hinduism, Lord Brahma is meant to be worshipped in temples or at home but not to be misused as a beverage tool or for the sales of the beverage. This was said by the self-proclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed. Zed is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism.
Zed further pointed out that in Hinduism, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva form the great triad of Hinduism. As per Zed, linking a lord to an alcoholic beverage was disrespectful. He further said that,
“Anheuser-Busch InBev should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.”
Responsible Marketing
Hinduism is considered the oldest and the third largest religion in the world with about 1.1 billion adherents across the globe. Anything that offends the symbols of the faith will not be taken with a pinch of salt. Zed further said that symbols of any faith should not be mishandled. Moreover, there has been serious condemnation for the kind of raunchy commercial of the Brahma beer. Hollywood celebrities like Megan Fox and Jennifer Lopez have been part of these commercials. Zed asked,
“What happened to the Anheuser-Busch InBev’s responsible marketing code of being sensitive to cultural differences, claims of creating a community that inspires, respects & includes one another, and whose Dream is to bring people together for a better world.”
The brand ‘Brahma; was created by Joseph villager, a swiss immigrant in Brazil in the year 1888. Brahma beer is known throughout Brazil as the number 1 beer. The company is yet to respond.
Source: Free Press Journal
