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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on his death anniversary.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Tributes to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals motivate us to build a developed India. I also pay tributes to all those martyred for our nation and recall their service as well as sacrifices.”

President Droupadi Murmu also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, on his death anniversary.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Manohar lal Khattar, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force were also present at the solemn occasion and also paid tribute to ‘Father of Nation’.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat.

India observes Martyrs’ Day every year on January 30 to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to honour his contribution towards the freedom of the country.

On this occasion of Martyrs’ Day, the National Archives of India (NAI) and the National Gandhi Museum (NGM) in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India, and Prasar Bharati Archives have announced a special exhibition titled “Journey of the Mahatma: Through His Own Documents”.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Chairman of, the National Gandhi Museum today at 3.00 pm in the Exhibition Hall of the National Gandhi Museum, Rajghat, New Delhi, according to an official release.

This carefully curated exhibition traces the transformative journey of Mahatma Gandhi, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the life and legacy of the Father of the Nation.

Through a combination of rare photographs, official documents, audio recordings, video clippings, and personal correspondences, the exhibition provides a vivid portrayal of Gandhi’s path from his early life in Porbandar to his pivotal role in India’s independence movement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and others during the unveiling of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, Karnataka, on January 21, 2025.

“Some BJP members keep alleging that Mahatma Gandhi was anti-Hindu. There is no truth in such allegations. He was a true Hindu. He sought reforms and eradication of social evils like untouchability and discrimination,” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Belagavi on January 21.

He was speaking at a ceremony to unveil a statue of Gandhiji in front of the Suvarna Soudha.

“Gandhiji was a true Hindu. He was always engaged in meditation and bhajan. Till his last breath, he was chanting the name of Lord Ram. Nathuram Ghodse, a man who was blinded by communal hatred, shot Gandhiji. Even then, Gandhiji said Hey Ram and died. There is no need for a better example to prove that he was a true Hindu,” the CM said. “We believe in the Hindutva as understood by Gandhiji. But the BJP does not believe in it. It believes in dividing the society on the basis of caste and religion.”

“Gandhiji sought reforms, but he was never anti-Hindu. He worked towards abolition of untouchability, empowering women and communal harmony. He wanted Hindus and Muslims to live as brothers. He not only helped us fight against British rule, but was also instrumental in shaping the post-independence government and system of governance. We should all be indebted to him,” he said.

“Most of our saints and reformers have opposed the caste discrimination and other social evils. Saints like Basavanna also fought against such social evils. All such ideals were included in the Constitution by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. While the Congress believes in the principles of the Constitution, the BJP is opposed to it. BJP has been trying to weaken the Constitution for several years. But we should not allow it. We should all protect the Constitution, and it will protect us. We should take the message of Gandhiji to the next generation. I hope the statue of Gandhiji will help us introspect and work towards an equal society,” the CM said.

“We will organise the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan campaign with the aim of conveying Gandhiji’s ideas in a more meaningful way, and towards making Gandhiji’s dream of Gram Swaraj a reality,” he said.

New Delhi:

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut courted a new controversy on Wednesday with a social media post about Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The actor, who previously faced backlash for her comments on the farmers’ protests, paid homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 120th birth anniversary through a post that appeared to downplay Mahatma Gandhi’s stature as the Father of the Nation.

“Desh ke pita nahi, desh ke to lal hote hai. Dhanye hai Bharat ma ke ye lal (‘The country does not have fathers; it has sons. Blessed are these sons of Mother India)” Ms Ranaut wrote on her Instagram Stories.

In a follow-up post, the actor credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying forward Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy on cleanliness in the country.

The post on Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi has led to yet another row for the BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, with Congress leader Supriya Shrinate criticising Ranaut for her “lewd jibe” at Mahatma Gandhi.

“BJP MP Kangana made this lewd jibe on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Godse worshippers draw distinctions between Bapu and Shastri ji. Will Narendra Modi wholeheartedly forgive his party’s new Godse devotee? There is the Father of the Nation, there are sons, and there are martyrs. Everyone deserves respect,” Ms Shrinate said in a post on X.

In March, Ms Shrinate herself had been embroiled in controversy before the Lok Sabha elections over an objectionable post regarding the actor.

Manoranjan Kalia, a senior BJP leader from Punjab, also criticised Ms Ranaut for her latest remarks.

“I condemn Kangana Ranaut’s comments made on Gandhi ji’s 155th birth anniversary. In her short political career, she has developed a habit of making controversial statements,” Mr Kalia said in a video posted on social media.

“Politics is not her field. Politics is a serious affair. One must think before speaking… Her controversial remarks cause trouble for the party,” he added.

It was only last month that Ms Ranaut faced backlash for advocating the return of the three farm laws repealed in 2021.

The actor, who was elected as an MP in June, alleged that the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws was leading to a “Bangladesh-type situation in India”, claiming that “dead bodies were hanging, and rapes were taking place” at the protest sites.

Ms Ranaut later retracted her statement, acknowledging that she should remember she is not just an artist but also a BJP member. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who along with his supporters was detained at Delhi’s Singhu border while marching to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, is leading a mission to safeguard the ecology of Ladakh.

The activist and over 100 people from Ladakh were headed to the national capital to demand sixth schedule status for the union territory.

They were detained on Monday night by the Delhi Police at the city’s Singhu border for violating prohibitory orders.

Mr Wangchuk and other volunteers were embarking on a foot march from Leh to Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands. One of their key demands is to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, granting law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.

The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special protections and autonomy to certain tribal areas in India. It helps preserve their culture and manage their resources.

After the abrogation of Article 370, J&K was bifurcated and Ladakh was given a separate UT status.

Mr Wangchuk has been demanding concrete steps be taken to safeguard the environment of the UT and Ladakh be granted statehood and brought under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.

In support of his demand, the climate activist staged a five-day ‘climate fast’ at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL) campus in Leh from January 26-30. The protest ended with a public rally at Polo Ground in Leh on January 31. Hundreds of locals joined him.

Mr Wangchuk in his speech expressed unhappiness at the UT status and being governed by a Lt Governor. He said then, “We thought it would be better than being a part of Jammu and Kashmir, as we would have a legislature and decisions would be taken according to people’s wishes. But we have not seen anything like that happen. Now, only one man is making all the decisions for us.”

He did a 21-day fast in March in Leh, after surviving on water and salt, in support of his demands — protection for the fragile ecology and the Indigenous culture of Ladakh

Along with over 100 supporters on September 1, the Ramon Magsaysay award winner embarked on the foot march to Delhi in support of his demands. He says his march is to call attention towards the catastrophic effects of climate change in Ladakh and the greater Himalayan region.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A “meticulously restored” railway coach from the bygone era, symbolising Mahatma Gandhi’s famous train journeys that were instrumental in his mission to unite the nation during the freedom struggle, was unveiled by Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday.

The coach, painted in a shade of brown, bears a ‘III’ marker depicting the third-class railway compartments he used to travel in, has been installed at Gandhi Darshan at the Rajghat.

A life-size sculpture of the Mahatma showing him stepping down from the coach has been placed on its footsteps.

“Even after more than 75 years after his death, the philosophy and principles espoused by Gandhi are still relevant not only for India but the wider world,” Shekhawat told reporters after inaugurating the special coach.

The Culture Ministry said this unique exhibit, donated by the Ministry of Railways, features “a meticulously restored railway coach from the era of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolising his famous train journeys that were instrumental in his mission to unite the nation and advocate for justice and equality”.

Gandhi’s early travels across the Indian subcontinent in third-class railway compartments were pivotal in shaping his understanding of India and his vision of a united nation.

“These journeys played a crucial role in Gandhi’s life, allowing him to connect with people from all walks of life, understand their struggles and evolve his philosophy of truth, non-violence and social justice, realising the power of collective strength and the need to unite the nation in its fight against oppression,” the ministry said.

The railways thus became a vital tool in his mission to weave the fabric of a united, inclusive India, it said.

“The railway coach at Gandhi Darshan is enriched with sculptures depicting Gandhi’s travels and interactions with fellow travellers, providing visitors with an immersive experience that brings alive Mahatma Gandhi’s rail journeys,” the ministry said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge posted his reservations about the relocation of statues of national icons as the area of relocation within the Parliament Complex, Prerna Sthal, was inaugurated today. Pointing out that the dedicated committee for such purposes, which contains MPs from both Houses, has not been reconstituted since 2019, Mr Kharge strongly criticised the decision to relocate the statues.

“Such decisions made without any proper discussion and deliberation with relevant stakeholders are against the rules and traditions of our Parliament,” read his post on X, formerly Twitter.

My statement on relocation of statues of major leaders in the Parliament House Complex —

1. The statues of many great leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, have been removed from their prominent places in the Parliament House Complex and relocated to a…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 16, 2024

A political row has been simmering for weeks over the decision to shift the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, BS Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji. The statues — moved first during the building of the new parliament — have been relocated to a new spot towards the back of the Parliament Complex, named Prerna Sthal.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat had explained the decision in a statement, which read, “Due to their location at different places in the Parliament Complex, visitors were not able to view these statues conveniently. For this reason, all these statues are being respectfully installed in a grand Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex itself.”

As the decision was announced earlier this month, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said, called it “atrocious”. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the statues of Shivaji and Ambedkar were removed because Maharashtra did not vote for the BJP. CPI’s D Raja also condemned the move, calling it “arbitrary and unilateral”.

The situation was emotive for the Opposition, which had held many a protest at the feet of the 16-ft tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

After the inauguration of Prerna Sthal today, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the spot is “motivational and inspirational and whoever spends time here will be inspired”.

“People get inspiration from such great men…I think that the Prerna Sthal will always inspire the coming generations,” said Om Birla, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi:

Mahatma Gandhi was nominated several times but was never awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On the eve of his 154th birth anniversary, the Nobel Prize panel explained why Mohandas Gandhi, who became the symbol of non-violence in the 20th century, was never awarded the prize.

He was nominated in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and, finally, a few days before he was assassinated in January 1948. Failure to give the prize to Mahatma Gandhi before his death in 1948 is also seen by many as a mistake.

“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.”

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi the evening before his 154th birthday. Gandhi was nominated for the #NobelPeacePrize on 12 occasions.

Read more: https://t.co/Q3cniIiZG9pic.twitter.com/bwu4CnOP72

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 1, 2023

In 1937, a member of the Norwegian parliament Ole Colbjornsen nominated him and he was selected as one of the thirteen candidates.

Some of his critics on the panel maintained that Gandhi was not consistently pacifist and that some of his non-violent campaigns against the British would degenerate into violence and terror. They cited the example of the first Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920-21 when a crowd killed many policemen and set fire to a police station in Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces in British India.

Some, according to the panel, were of the view that his ideals were primarily Indian and not universal. The Nobel committee’s adviser Jacob S Worm-Muller said, “One might say that it is significant that his well-known struggle in South Africa was on behalf of the Indians only, and not of the blacks whose living conditions were even worse.”

Lord Cecil of Chelwood was the laureate of the 1937 award. Mahatma Gandhi was renominated by Colbjornsen again in 1938 and in 1939 but ten years were to pass before Gandhi made the short list again.

In 1947, Mohandas Gandhi was one of the six names on the committee’s short list.

However, three of the five members were very reluctant to award the prize to Gandhi amid the India-Pakistan struggle. The 1947 award went to the Quakers.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30 1948, two days before the closing date for that year’s Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Six letters of nomination were sent to the committee – some nominators were former laureates.

But nobody had ever been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously. According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation in force at that time, the prizes, under certain circumstances, be awarded posthumously.

The then Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, August Schou, asked the Swedish prize-awarding institutions for their opinion. The answers were negative as they thought the posthumous awards should not take place unless the laureate died after the committee’s decision had been made.

That year there was no award as the Norwegian Nobel Committee felt “there was no suitable living candidate”.

What many thought should have been Mahatma Gandhi’s place on the list of Laureates was silently but respectfully left open.

Moreover, up to 1960, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded almost exclusively to Europeans and Americans.

The panel explained that Gandhi was very different from earlier laureates. “He was no real politician or proponent of international law, not primarily a humanitarian relief worker and not an organiser of international peace congresses. He would have belonged to a new breed of Laureates,” it said.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi’s Rajghat on the latter’s 154th birth anniversary. 

The Prime Minister said Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global and inspiring people all over the world to promote unity and compassion.

“I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over,” PM Modi wrote on X. 

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

Tributes poured in for Mahatma Gandhi from all quarters.

President Droupadi Murmu said that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology is timeless and will always be relevant for the world. She urged people to follow his values and teachings for the welfare of the country.

“Gandhiji ideals of truth and non-violence paved a new way for the world. Gandhiji not only fought for non-violence throughout his life but he also took up the cause of cleanliness, women empowerment, self-reliance and farmers’ rights and fought against untouchability, social discrimination and illiteracy,” she said in a message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged everyone to follow the Mahatma’s ideas of truth, non-violence and equality.

“The thoughts and ideals of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired the entire world to follow the path of truth, non-violence and peace, and the founder of the Indian freedom struggle, are relevant for us even today,” Mr Kharge wrote on X.

“आप मुझे बेड़ियों से जकड़ सकते हैं, यातना दे सकते हैं, आप इस शरीर को ख़त्म भी कर सकते हैं, लेकिन आप मेरे विचारों को क़ैद नहीं कर सकते।”

~ महात्मा गाँधी

संपूर्ण विश्व को सत्य-अहिंसा एवं शांति के मार्ग पर चलने के लिए प्रेरित करने वाले, भारतीय स्वतंत्रता संग्राम के सूत्रधार,… pic.twitter.com/qDxcIxHR9h

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 2, 2023

“His ideas like truth, non-violence, peace and equality are being challenged today, but we are fighting it by following the values taught by Bapu,” he added. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena joined other dignitaries in paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
 

New Delhi:

On the occasion of 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, several leaders including PM Modi paid tribute to the father of nation at the Rajghat. 

Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence and spearheaded several movements that eventually helped free India from colonial rule. Mahatma Gandhi, fondly called Bapu, has left an indelible impression on the life of many. 

He is regarded as the Father of the Nation who showcased the power of non-violence to the world and vehemently opposed bloodshed.

Here are the LIVE updates on Gandhi Jayanti:

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets on Gandhi Jayanti

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his…

– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

Mahatma Gandhi’s 154th Birth Anniversary: History Behind This National Festival

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on October 2. It marks the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, revered as Mahatma Gandhi. He is fondly remembered by the people as “Mahatma” or “Bapu”, and played a key role in India’s freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated the power of non-violence, or ahimsa through various peaceful movements. He inspired leaders across the world with his values and principles.

On October 2 every year, people mark Gandhi Jayanti and remember the contribution of the “Father of the Nation”. The day is also observed as “International Day of Non-Violence” to disseminate the message of non-violence.

The United Nations declared October 2 as “International Day of Non-Violence” on June 15, 2007. Several programmes and cultural events are organised to pay homage to the Father Of The Nation and spread his teachings. Many people also visit places dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi on this day – like Raj Ghat in Delhi, Mani Bhavan in Mumbai and Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat.

Gandhi Jayanti: Here’s All You Need To Know About Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary

Gandhi Jayanti is observed globally on October 2 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian freedom struggle. Mr Gandhi, who was given the title Mahatma by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, was a politician, social activist and lawyer whose ideologies and struggles led to India’s independence in 1947. He was fondly known as ‘Bapu’ and the ‘Father of the Nation’. His unwavering belief in ‘Swaraj (self-governance)’ and ‘Ahimsa (non-violence)’ won him accolades worldwide. Read more

• Every year, on October 2, people mark Gandhi Jayanti and remember the contribution of the “Father of the Nation”. 
• The day is also observed as “International Day of Non-Violence” to disseminate the message of non-violence.