Below is a press release from Rajan Zed

Upset Hindus are urging Buffalo Grove (Illinois) based Prairie Krafts Brewing Company to apologize and rename/withdraw its “Trishul” beer; calling it highly inappropriate.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or concepts or deities or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Trishul was an emblem of Lord Shiva and one of the principal divine symbols in Hinduism; and its three prongs denoted the powers of creation, preservation, destruction; and represented three gunas (fundamental principles of universe). Trishul found mention in ancient Hindu texts Puranas and goddess Durga also carried it.

Trishul, which devotees frequently set-up before worship in temples, home-shrines, etc.; should not be used for pushing beer. Moreover, linking Trishul with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful; Rajan Zed stated.

Breweries should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of divine Hindu symbol to be displayed on a beer can, Zed emphasized.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.

Trishul Pale Ale (5.6% ABV-50 IBU) is available in 12 fl oz cans and is described as “well balanced and solid”.