An Israeli company that landed itself in a controversy after putting images of Mahatma Gandhi on its liquor bottles has apologized to the Government of India for "hurting" sentiments, news agency PTI reports.
Mahatma Gandhi's photo was used on the liquor bottles to commemorate Israel's 71st Independence Day (May 8-9), reports India Today.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Gilad Dror, Brand Manager of the company, apologized saying that he regrets using Mahatma Gandhi's image on the liquor bottles.
"Malka Beer offers its heartfelt apologies to the people and the Government of India for hurting their sentiments. We highly respect and value Mahatma Gandhi and regret our action of putting his image on our bottles," Gilad Dror said in the statement.
Shocking: Israel-based brewery used Mahatma Gandhi's picture on beer bottles https://t.co/7FbisKh7Tk
— TOI People (@toipeople) July 4, 2019
Dror also added that the production and supplies of the bottles were stopped soon after the Indian Embassy in Israel raised the concern.
The company is "making efforts to withdraw the product from the market," Dror said, adding that the "intention" behind using Mahatma Gandhi's picture "had in fact been to honor" him.
The Israel brewery has now apologised for using #MahatmaGandhi's image on bottles.https://t.co/VKWfWZNdZh
— Indiatimes (@indiatimes) July 4, 2019
Mahatma Gandhi was the only non-Israeli face on the limited edition bottles.
Three former prime ministers of Israel - David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and Menachem Begin-apart from Theodor Herzl, father of Zionism, were the other celebrated personalities who were featured on the bottles.
Members of the Rajya Sabha, on Tuesday, had objected to Mahatma Gandhi's image being used on the liquor bottles.
Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu then directed External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue and take immediate action.
