The Kerala High Court has issued notice to the State government and the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) on public interest litigations challenging a contest floated by Bevco inviting members of the public to suggest a name and logo for a new brand of brandy proposed to be manufactured at a distillery in Palakkad. The court has directed the government and Bevco to file affidavits in response to the petitions. Among others, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) criticised the naming contest, describing it as a form of surrogate advertising for liquor and warning that it could send a wrong message to society, particularly to children and youth. Meanwhile, Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh stated that the government had no role in the contest, clarifying that the advertisement was issued by Bevco in its capacity as a company. Published – January 20, 2026 09:51 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Poultry farmers continue hunger protest for second day at Avinashipalayam in Tiruppur Israel orders Gaza families to move in first forced evacuation since ceasefire