Connecticut brewery apologizes for using name, likeness of Mohandas Gandhi to sell beer

A Connecticut brewery has apologized for selling beer that uses the name and likeness of Mohandas Gandhi.

New England Brewing Co. in Woodbridge apologized over the weekend on its Facebook page for the India pale ale it called Gandhi-Bot.

"Our intent is not to offend anyone but rather pay homage and celebrate a man who we respect greatly," the company said.

Critics in the U.S. and India have complained about the commercial use of Gandhi, revered for leading India to independence through nonviolence.

Proloy K. Das, a Hartford lawyer, tweeted that Connecticut "should be ashamed to be home" to New England Brewing. He did not immediately return a call or email seeking comment.

New England Brewing referred questions to its Facebook posting.