'Regret That 'Kaali' Offended Hindus': Canada's Aga Khan Museum Issues Apology

 

Canada’s Aga Khan Museum issued a statement and apologised over a poster of a documentary 'Kaali' that was showcased in Toronto as part of the project "Under the Tent".

The poster reportedly angered Hindus in India. The museum said that it deeply regretted that the poster had offended the members of the Hindu community in India.

How did the controversy start?

The entire controversy started when filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of the documentary on social media showing a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali (Hindu Goddess) smoking a cigarette. The poster also featured the rainbow flag of the LGBT community.

Consequently, the poster of the documentary became viral on social media. The poster caused outrage online, with many accusing Manimekalai of deliberately hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. #ArrestLeenaManimekalai also started to trend on Twitter.

Earlier, the High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada, also "urged" the Museum that all provocative material connected to the documentary ‘Kaali’ be withdrawn. In a press release, the Indian High Commission wrote, "We have received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada. We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organisers to withdraw all provocative material.”

Many Hindu groups also approached authorities in Canada to take action on this matter. They complained to the authorities regarding the "disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods on the poster of the documentary film.”

Several political parties and leaders in India also categorically rejected the poster documentary 'Kaali'. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also said that every religion must be respected. She wrote on Twitter, "Freedom of expression cannot be reserved for Hindu Gods and Goddesses.”

Reacting to the criticism, Manimekalai wrote on Twitter, "The film revolves around the events that take place one evening when Kali strolls the streets of Toronto.”