Russian brewery Rewort has asked for forgiveness after pictures of its beer cans with Mahatma Gandhi’s image and signature went viral. In a written response to NDTV, the brand sought understanding and said it “did not want to offend anyone”.

Earlier this week, on February 13, Suparno Satpathy, politician and grandson of former Odisha chief minister Nandini Satpathy, shared photos of beer cans with Mahatma Gandhi’s image on it. Mr Satpathy urged Indian authorities to take up the matter with Russia.

The brand Rewort has now responded to NDTV’s request for comment and clarified that it had apologised for the situation a year ago. “Yes, indeed, we had a stylized Mahatma Gandhi on the label, a man whom we admire and wanted to pay tribute to his good work and good deeds,” it said.

However, after the Indian embassy contacted the brand a year ago, they took the variety out of production, it said.

“There may be old remnants somewhere, but soon they will disappear. We will try to recall them if we see them anywhere,” it added.

“We have deep respect for the friendly people of India and in no way did we want to offend anyone,” Rewort said.

A video of two people checking out the beer cans is doing rounds on the internet. One of the men can be heard saying, “Hum currency pe leke ghoom rahe hain (We are carrying him around on our currency).”

The netizens, in the comments section, condemned the act. A user highlighted how Mr Gandhi was against the idea of alcohol. “Abe yaha to inke name pe dry day hota hai (We mark a dry day in his name), a user commented.

“That’s terrible,” wrote another.

Another said, “It is bad, no one should disrespect father of nation.”

This is not the first time Mahatma Gandhi’s image has been misused. In 2019, an Israeli company used Mr Gandhi’s image on its liquor bottles to commemorate Israel’s 71st Independence Day.

A Russian brewery has come under fire for using Mahatma Gandhi’s image on its beer cans.

The controversy erupted after images of the cans, produced by the Russian brand Rewort, surfaced online. Suparno Satpathy, politician and grandson of former Odisha chief minister Nandini Satpathy, shared the photos, urging Indian authorities to take up the matter with Russia.

“My humble request with PM Narendra Modi ji is to take up this matter with his friend, President of Russia. It has been found that Russia’s Rewort is selling beer in the name of Gandhi ji,” Mr Satpathy said in his post.

My humble request with PM @narendramodi Ji is to take up this matter with his friend @KremlinRussia_E . It has been found that Russia’s Rewort is selling Beer in the name of GandhiJi… SS pic.twitter.com/lT3gcB9tMf

— Shri. Suparno Satpathy (@SuparnoSatpathy) February 13, 2025

The post quickly gained traction, with others expressing their ire at what they saw as a disrespectful act. 

One user questioned the connection between the iconic leader and alcohol, saying, “Highly unacceptable. What is the relation between Gandhiji and alcohol? Stop using his name and image on alcohol, he wasn’t alcoholic, instead use his name and image on other products which suit his personality.”

Highly unacceptable ???? what is the relation between Gandhiji and alcohol ? Stop using his name and image on alcohol he wasn’t alcoholic instead use his name and image on other products which suits his personality.

— ꧁•????ᵃℝ???? •꧂ (@xyzabc123000000) February 13, 2025

Another social media user condemned the branding, saying, “Shocking & unacceptable. A Russian brewery, Rewort, is selling beer named “Mahatma G.” mocking the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, an icon of peace and abstinence. This is an insult to India’s values & a billion Indians.”

Shocking & unacceptable.

A Russian brewery, Rewort, is selling beer named “Mahatma G.” mocking the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi..an icon of peace and abstinence.

This is an insult to India’s values & a billion Indians.

I urge PM @narendramodi and @DrSJaishankar Ji to take up this… pic.twitter.com/UjEdWogYpt

— Ajay Gupta (@ajayguptaca) February 13, 2025

“Nothing less than an FIR along with parliamentary committee on Ethics summoning Vladimir Putin will satisfy me!” read a post.

Nothing less than an FIR along with parliamentary committee on Ethics summoning Vladimir Putin will satisfy me!!

— Vivek (વિવેક) ???????????????? (@Viv_ache12) February 13, 2025

A video circulating on Instagram further fuelled the controversy. In the footage, two people are seen inspecting the Rewort beer cans featuring Gandhi’s image along with his signature. One of them even comments, “Hum currency pe leke ghoom rahe hain (We are carrying him around on our currency),” highlighting the stark contrast between Mahatma Gandhi’s representation on Indian banknotes and his image on a beer can.

In 2019, an Israeli liquor company drew criticism for featuring Mahatma Gandhi’s image on its bottles as part of Israel’s 71st Independence Day celebrations, eventually issuing an apology.

The same year, a Czech brewery was forced to rebrand its Mahatma India Pale Ale following backlash. Similarly, in 2015, an American brewery had to apologise after a Hyderabad court petition led to protests over its use of Gandhi’s image on beer cans and bottles.