‘Kaali’ poster row: Indian embassy asks Canada to withdraw provocative material

The high commission's statement comes after a social media outrage regarding the film's poster that depicted a woman in Goddess Kaali's costume, smoking a cigarette.

The Indian High Commission in Canada on Monday urged the country’s authorities to withdraw the “disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods” showcased at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto. The appeal came in the wake of a social media uproar over a poster of documentary filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s new film ‘Kaali’ where the Goddess is shown smoking a cigarette.

 Film-maker Leena Manimekalai

“We have received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada about the disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods on the poster… Our Consulate General in Toronto has conveyed these concerns to the organisers of the event,” the embassy said.

“We are also informed that several Hindu groups have approached authorities in Canada to take action,” the High Commission said in a press release.

"We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw all such provocative material," it stated.

The poster has drawn flak on social media for hurting religious sentiments with the depiction of Goddess Kaali. Twitter users demanded the poster be withdrawn and some even started trending the hashtag '#ArrestLeenaManimekal', calling for strict action against her.

“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,” Manimekalai tweeted.