Expressing concern over Mahatma Gandhi's caricature displayed on Isreal's liquor bottles, EAM Jaishankar sets diligent look into the matter

New Delhi, July 3: Expressing concerns over picture of Mahatma Gandhi being displayed on liquor bottles of an Israeli company, the Rajya Sabha members on Tuesday prompted the Chair to direct EAM S Jaishankar to look into the matter and take immediate appropriate action.

 

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, the members said that an Israeli company had insulted the Father of the Nation by printing his picture on liquor bottles.

 

They further demanded action against the company and removal of the bottles carrying the pictures. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu termed the matter as serious with several members joining the issue. Naidu asked Jaishankar, who was present in the House, to look into the matter. "Jaishankarji, please take note of the same and try to take appropriate immediate action”, he said.

 

An Indian activist group however is up in arms after Israeli beer makers following the use of caricature of Mahatma Gandhi as part of a marketing campaign, arguing that the brewers have turned the anti-booze crusader into a mascot.

 

Created jointly by the Malka Brewery and Negev Beers, both based in Israel, the controversial bottle was included in a box set meant to commemorate Israel’s 71st Independence Day. The set features on various types of beer included a cartoon image of Gandhi decked out in shades and a tie-dye shirt.

 

Eby J. Jose, Chairman of the Kerala-based Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation said that the image made a mockery of the independence leader and filed written complaints to both PM Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, hoping to see legal action against the brewers.