Internet users in India arw on fire reacting against a post that was tweeted by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, which depicted Goddess Kali who was superimposed over a fume of a fire blast. Netizens are calling it “an assault on Hindu sentiments” and strongly debating the issue online. However, the picture has now been deleted.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s senior advisor Kanchan Gupta called this act ‘an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.
Recently #Ukraine Dy Foreign Minister was in Delhi soliciting support from #India
Behind that fakery lurks the real face of Ukraine Govt. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster.
This is an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.@UkrembInd https://t.co/r84YlsUtZc pic.twitter.com/q7jSG0vGXH— Kanchan Gupta (Hindu Bengali Refugee)🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) April 30, 2023
Emine Dzhaparova, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister who recently visited India too expressed “regrets” over the depiction of Goddess Kali in a “distorted manner” by the Ministry of Defence. Apologising for the insensitive act, she said that her country and the people respect the “unique Indian culture”.
On April 9, Dzhaparova made the first official visit to India, from her Eastern European country since the Russian invasion began in February last year.
She conveyed the same in a Twitter thread. “We regret @DefenceU depicting Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner. Ukraine & its people respect unique Indian culture & highly appreciate India’s support. The depiction has already been removed. Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect & friendship.”
A user tweeted, “Ukraine should not hurt the sentiments of billions of Indians. India has a right to be neutral. Ma Kali is our goddess and must be respected. In fact, Ukraine should pray to her and will see the miracles happening.”
Meanwhile, another user marked “@HMOIndia@DrSJaishankar@MEAIndia
“Respected sirs/ministries – this official Ukraine defence ministry handle is insulting the Hindus deity Kaali maa. This should be taken down immediately with an unconditional apology.”
Ever since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged in several discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4, 2022, PM Modi emphasised that there can be no military solution to the conflict and pledged India’s readiness to contribute to any peace efforts.