CANADA: On Monday, the Indian High Commission demanded Canadian authorities to remove the demeaning representation of Hindu deities that were on display as part of the “Under the Tent” initiative at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
“We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw all such provocative material,” read the Indian High Commission in the Canada press release.
Manimekalai’s documentary poster has received criticism on social media for offending religious sensibilities by depicting Goddess Kaali in an inappropriate way.
The Madurai-born, Toronto-based filmmaker had previously shared a poster for her movie on Twitter, showing a woman smoking while wearing a costume to represent the Goddess. The LGBT community’s flag may be seen in the distance.
“Our Consulate General in Toronto has conveyed these concerns to the organizers of the event. We are also informed that several Hindu groups have approached authorities in Canada to take action,” added the release.
She is currently facing legal action after a police complaint was made against her for offending religious emotions with a poster for her documentary “Kaali.”
A portion of social media users have called for the removal of the poster because of how Goddess Kali is portrayed in it.
Meanwhile, the hashtag ‘#ArrestLeenaManimekal‘ is trending on Twitter.
It has been referred to as a “hate poster” by activist Rahul Easwar, who also said that it “is propagating hate against the Hindu community and defaming our deities.”
A Bhartiya Janata Party official named Shivam Chhabra filed a police report against director Manimekalai on Monday for allegedly offending Hindus’ feelings with a poster for her documentary “Kaali.”
The complainant demanded punishment against Manimekalai by taking strict action under strict sections of the law, including Section 295A of IPC, Section 79 of IT Act 2000, and Prohibition of Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986.
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