BJP Lodges Complaint Against Filmmaker Leena, TMC’s Mahua Moitra in ‘Kaali’ Poster Row.

‘Kaali’ Poster Row: Delhi BJP Lodges Complaint Against Filmmaker Leena, TMC’s Mahua Moitra.

Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai is facing several FIRs following outrage over the poster of film ‘Kaali’ showing Goddess Kali smoking and holding an LGBTQ flag. TMC MP Mahua Moitra is also facing FIR for supporting Kaali’s gesture as filmed by Manimekalai.

Kamal Joshi | Republic World Online | New Delhi | July 7, 2022:: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Delhi unit has lodged a complaint against ‘Kaali’ filmmaker Leena Manimekalai, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra and others for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

The complaint has been filed under Sections 295, 505 (2), 153B, 509 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for hurting sentiments of the Hindu community, portraying women dressed as Goddess Maa Kaali smoking and deteriorating the replica of Goddess Maa Kaali.

At the centre of a huge storm over her documentary “Kaali”, filmmaker Manimekalai is facing several FIRs following outrage over the poster of Kaali showing the Goddess Kali smoking and holding an LGBTQ flag.

‘Provocative and insulting’: Delhi BJP on TMC MP’s remarks

Following the outrage, the Aga Khan Museum in Canada’s Toronto that was supposed to show the ‘Kaali’ documentary at an event expressed regret and removed it from its list of films being presented. ‘Kaali’ was showcased as part of the ‘Under the Tent’ project at the Aga Khan Museum.

Mahua Moitra, the TMC MP from Krishnanagar, on Tuesday, stoked a controversy by remarking that she had every right as an individual to imagine Goddess Kali as a “meat-eating and alcohol-accepting” God, as every individual had his or her unique way of offering prayers.

“Moitra’s statement is in itself a provocative and insulting remark against Goddess Maa Kaali and hurting the sentiments of worshippers of Goddess Kali and Hindu religion,” the complaint stated.

An FIR has also been registered against Mahua Moitra in Bhopal under Section 295-A on the complaint of local tea-seller Ram Chandra. While TMC has distanced itself from the MP’s remarks, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that “we will not tolerate disrespect to any Hindu Gods and Goddesses at any cost.”