Twitter takes down director Leena Manimekalai’s ‘Kaali’ poster tweet
7th July 2022
New Delhi: Microblogging site Twitter has removed the controversial July 2 tweet of filmmaker Leena Manimekalai.
Leena had released the poster of the film ‘Kaali’ via a tweet which led to outrage in the country. The poster of her film depicted a woman dressed in a costume portraying the goddess and smoking.
Reacting to Twitter’s action, Leena in a tweet asked whether the social media platform would also withhold posts by “hate mongers”.
“This is hilarous. Will @TwitterIndia withhold the tweets of the 200000 hate mongers?! These lowlife trolls tweeted and spread the very same poster that they find objectionable. Kaali cannot be lynched. Kaali cannot be raped. Kaali cannot be destroyed. She is the goddess of death,” she wrote.
However, it’s not clear when Twitter actually took the tweet down.
The original tweet has been replaced by a message from Twitter.
“This Tweet from @LeenaManimekali has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand,” read the message.
Source : TOI
Canada: Aga Khan Museum tenders apology for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus, stops screening of Hinduphobic film ‘Kaali’
6th July 2022
On July 5 (local time), Aga Khan Museum issued a statement and tendered an apology for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindu and other faith communities. The statement was issued in context to the screening of the Hinduphobic film ‘Kaali’ by Kollywood director Leena Manimekalai.
In its statement, the Museum said, “Toronto Metropolitan University brought together works from students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, each student exploring their individual sense of belonging as part of Canadian multiculturalism for the project ‘Under the Tent.’
Toronto Metropolitan University’s project presentation was hosted once at the Aga Khan Museum on July 2, 2022, in the context of the Museum’s mission to foster intercultural understanding and dialogue through the arts. Respect for diverse religious expressions and faith communities forms an integral part of that mission. The presentation is no longer being shown at the Museum.
The Museum deeply regrets that one of the 18 short videos from ‘Under the Tent’ and its accompanying social media post have inadvertently caused offence to members of the Hindu and other faith communities.”
Official response by Toronto Metro. Uni. To @WIONews pic.twitter.com/8h1FjtgzS8
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 6, 2022
In reply to the query by Wion News, the University said that the film ‘Kaali’ would not be part of the further screening of the ‘Under The Tent’ event. It said, “We recognize the short film has caused sensitivities and have no further plans to screen it at this time.”
Source : OpIndia
Indian High Commission appeals to Canadian authorities to stop screening of Hinduphobic film ‘Kaali’
5th July 2022
On Monday (July 4), the High Commission of India in Ottawa urged the Canadian authorities to withdraw the screening of an objectionable film named after Hindu Goddess Kaali.
In a press release, it stated, “We have received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada about the disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods on the poster of a film showcased as part of the ‘Under the Tent project at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto.”
“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,” the Indian High Commission in Ottawa remark.
Please see a Press Released issued by @HCI_Ottawa @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PIB_India @DDNewslive @IndiainToronto @cgivancouver pic.twitter.com/DGjQynxYJS
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) July 4, 2022
The press release concluded, “We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw all such provocative material.”
Source : OpIndia
FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi against Leena Manimekalai for ‘hurting religious sentiments’
5th July 2022
Uttar Pradesh Police has lodged an FIR against director Leena Manimekalai for deliberately hurting religious sentiments by tweeting a poster of her new documentary film ‘Kaali’, where a woman dressed as the Goddess is shown smoking a cigarette.
An FIR was registered on July 4 at Hazratganj Police Station on charges of criminal conspiracy, offence in the place of worship, deliberately hurting religious sentiments and intention to provoke breach of peace against the filmmaker.
The FIR has been lodged under Sections, 120-B, 153-B, 295, 295-A, 298, 504, 505(1)(b), 505(2), 66 and 67 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Delhi Police IFSO unit has filed the FIR under IPC sections 153A and 295A.
UP police register FIR on charges of criminal conspiracy, offense in place of worship, deliberately hurting religious sentiments, intention to provoke breach of peace against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai for her movie 'Kaali' about disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods pic.twitter.com/YV97J23fcG
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 5, 2022
Source : DNA
Police complaint filed against Kaali director Leena Manimekalai for ‘highly objectionable’ poster
4th July 2022
Amid massive uproar over the controversial poster of Kaali and demands for arrest, a police complaint has been filed against the documentary film’s director Leena Manimekalai. She has been accused of hurting religious sentiments with the “highly objectionable” post.
A lawyer from Delhi registered a complaint against Leena over the controversial poster that was shared by her on July 2. As per reports, he has demanded a ban on the objectionable photo and the clip from the documentary. He has said that the poster, which shows a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette, is hurting the sentiments and beliefs of the Hindu community.
The complaint filed with the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police reportedly read, “This deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of Hindu Community through highly objectionable video and photo from her twitter account by the accused which is well circulated in social media and all public platforms is an offence under section 295A ,298, 505, 67 I.T Act and 34 IPC and therefore penal action should be taken against the accused.”
Complaint has been file by Adv.@vineetJindal19 with @DCP_CCC_Delhi against @LeenaManimekali for her intentional act to hurt Hindu Religious Sentiments for shown Goddess Kali smoking.@cp_delhi @Sadhvi_prachi @shubhankrmishra #LeenaManimekalai pic.twitter.com/BNQXtomlob
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) July 4, 2022
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Leena took to her Twitter handle to react to the backlash and demands to arrest her. In a tweet, she said that her film revolves around Goddess Kali’s experience when she appears and takes a stroll on the streets of Toronto.
Amid the backlash, Leena told BBC Tamil, “I have nothing to lose. I want to be with a voice that speaks without fear of anything until it is. If the price is my life, I will give it.”
Source : Times Now
Sign Petition : Arrest Leena Manimekalai for denigrating Goddess Kali
4th July 2022
On July 2, 2022, filmmaker and controversial poetess Leena Manimekalai shared that her documentary Kaali was going to be launched at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada. The event is funded by CERC (Canada Excellence Research Chairs), Canadian government funded agency. The movie poster shows Goddess Kali smoking what appears to be a cigarette, while carrying a LGBTQ ‘pride’ flag in her hand, along with her weapons. Leena tweeted that ‘the film revolves around the events that take place one evening when Kali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto’. The poster has created consternation among Hindus worldwide for its crass portrayal of the Divine mother Goddess Kali. Social media is rife with tweets and posts demanding the arrest of Leena. Read More
While many countries sermonised India over the comments of Ms Nupur Sharma (which she directly quoted from Islamic scriptures), it is appalling that India has not yet reacted to this gross denigration of Goddess Kaali.
Request the patriotic and Dharmik Hindu population of India to send the email petition !
Request you to please send the email with this demand to Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs and Hon’ble Minister for External Affairs by clicking on the below button. Request you to send a copy of the email to [email protected]
(Note: ‘Send Email’ button will work only on Mobile)
Demands
1. The Government of India must summon the Canadian ambassador and demand that the Canadian government stop funding anti-Hindu activities under the guise of art and culture.
2. The Government of India must demand that Canada pledge to safeguard the religious rights and sentiments of its Hindu minorities.
3. Leena Manimekalai’s passport should be revoked, she should be arrested and made to answer for her insulting portrayal of Goddess Kali.
4. The movie Kaali must be banned immediately from being displayed in India.
It is unfortunate that Hindu sensibilities are taken for granted across the world, so Hindus sincerely hope that Government of India will take the necessary steps to safeguard Hindu interests.
Leena Manimekalai’s movie poster showing Goddess Kali smoking hurts religious sentiments of Hindus
3rd July 2022
On July 2, 2022, filmmaker and controversial poetess Leena Manimekalai shared that her documentary Kaali was going to be launched at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada. The event is funded by CERC (Canada Excellence Research Chairs), Canadian government funded agency. The movie poster shows Goddess Kali smoking what appears to be a cigarette, while carrying a LGBTQ ‘pride’ flag in her hand, along with her weapons. Leena tweeted that ‘the film revolves around the events that take place one evening when Kali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto’. The poster has created consternation among Hindus worldwide for its crass portrayal of the Divine mother Goddess Kali. Social media is rife with tweets and posts demanding the arrest of Leena. #ArrestLeenaManimekalai
We strongly condemn this portrayal of the Goddess Maa Kali. @MEAIndia should look into this issue and assure Hindus that stringent action will be initiated against @LeenaManimekali#ArrestLeenaManimekalai https://t.co/iYQLIDCFyG
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) July 3, 2022
.@CanadainIndia should apologise for funding such deeply anti-Hindu documentary that blasphemes a revered Goddess of millions of Canadian Hindus and billion Hindus worldwide ! https://t.co/iYQLIDl4a6
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) July 3, 2022
Filmmaker Leena shared the poster of her documentary movie, ‘Kaali on Twitter on June 2, 2022. Sharing the information with this poster, she said that she is very excited because her documentary ‘Kaali’ was launched at the Canada Film Festival (Rhythms of Canada).
Seeing the poster of this documentary, a user wrote, ‘Every day the sentiments of Hindus are hurt. They test our patience. Many users also demanded action on this poster and film, tagging Amit Shah and the Prime Minister.
Hindus expect the Central Government to pass a law as early as possible so that stringent action can be taken against those who are in the habit of constantly making a mockery of & denigrating Hindus’ seats of worship, faith, customs, & traditions, etc.#ArrestLeenaManimekalai pic.twitter.com/FW74hhirjR
— Guruprasad Gowda (@Gp_hjs) July 3, 2022
This is blasphemy and hurts Hindu religious sentiment.
.@AgaKhanMuseum needs to take this down immediately. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @KirenRijiju
— SanksP 🇮🇳🏴 (@SanksP) July 3, 2022
… dare you do it with any other religion. Just try. And shame on the place which is supporting such depiction of Hindu goddess. @HCI_Ottawa you all can at least put a protest if you think this is fine than it’s a irony @reachind_USACAN
— Rajiv Mishra (@rajivmishra) July 3, 2022
I Can't See This .
I Request To @Uppolice@DelhiPolice@HMOIndia @MEAIndia#ArrestLeenaManimekalai
Retweet Maximum And Demand pic.twitter.com/cMJgsPxAtJ
— भारत (@rakesh_bstpyp) July 3, 2022
