'Kaali' remarks: Mahua Moitra says 'bring it on' after FIR
What's the story
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra has been charged for her remarks on Goddess Kaali. BJP leader Jiten Chatterjee has filed an FIR against her for allegedly hurting religious feelings. Her remarks pertain to a controversial film poster that showed an actor dressed as the goddess smoking a cigarette. In fact, her own party TMC also rebuked her for the remarks.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The poster is from director Leena Manimekalai's documentary film Kaali. She is drawing major flak on social media for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The poster features a woman dressed as the revered Hindu goddess smoking a cigarette, which didn't go down well with several netizens who immediately expressed their displeasure online. She has been receiving immense backlash, with #ArrestLeenaManimekalai trending on Twitter.
Comments
What exactly did Moitra say?
At the India Today Conclave East 2022 on Tuesday, Moitra stated Kaali was a meat-eating, alcohol-accepting goddess in her opinion. "When you go to Sikkim, you will see that they offer whiskey to Goddess Kaali. But if you go to Uttar Pradesh, and if you tell them that you offer whiskey to the goddess as prasad, they will call it blasphemy," she said.
Complaint
How did she react after the police complaint?
Subsequently, the BJP questioned if insulting Hindu gods was the official stand of TMC, and filed complaint against Moitra. On her part, Moitra tweeted, "Bring it on BJP! Am a Kali worshipper. I am not afraid of anything. Not your ignoramuses. Not your goons. Not your police. And most certainly not your trolls. Truth doesn't need backup forces."
Official
How did TMC respond?
Notably, Trinamool Congress strongly condemned the comments by Moitra and said they don't endorse the party's view in any manner or form. "The comments made by Mahua Moitra at the India Today Conclave East 2022 and her views expressed on Goddess Kali have been made in her personal capacity," read the tweet put out by the official handle of TMC.
Details
How did the actual controversy begin?
The actual controversy started after filmmaker Manimekalai shared a poster of her documentary film Kaali. It went viral on social media and invited harsh comments from many people. The poster depicts a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali. She is seen smoking a cigarette along with her usual accoutrements. The actor playing the goddess is also shown wielding the LGBTQ+ community's pride flag.
Complaint
Complaint urging ban on the film
The poster received harsh criticism for its "outrageous" and "insulting" content a few hours after it went public on social media. The head of the Gau Mahasabha, Ajay Gautam, reported the incident to the Delhi Police and the Home Ministry. He also demanded a ban on Kaali, which Manimekalai has referred to as a "performance documentary".