TMC Leader Mahua Moitra says 'Jai Ma Kali', days after calling Kali a 'Meat-Eating Goddess', TMC distances

The ongoing controversy over the poster of the documentary Kali has now turned into a political tussle. BJP protested in Kolkata on the statement of Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in support of the filmmaker. The party has also lodged a complaint against Mahua at Bahubazar police station in Kolkata. Moitra had said, Kali to me is a Meat-Eating, Alcohol Accepting Goddess, which led to controversy across the country. She has been accused of hurting Hindu Sentiments. In Bhopal, FIR has also been registered against her over her statement.

Moitra however later said that she did not back the film poster. She took to Twitter and wrote, "To all you sanghis- lying will NOT make you better Hindus. I NEVER backed any film or poster or mentioned the word smoking. Suggest you visit my Maa Kali in Tarapith to see what food & drink is offered as bhog. Joy Ma Tara.

The Trinamool Congress has distanced itself from Mahua Mitra's statement. The party tweeted and wrote that Mahua's statement is personal and Trinamool has nothing to do with it. TMC said, "The comments made by Mahua Moitra at the India Today Conclave East2022 and her views expressed on Goddess Kali have been made in her personal capacity and are NOT ENDORSED BY THE PARTY in ANY MANNER OR FORM. All India Trinamool Congress strongly condemns such comments. After the statement, Mahua unfollowed TMC's Twitter account.

West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar on the matter said, "TMC can't detach itself from comments of Mahua Moitra. If TMC actually doesn't endorse it, they should take action - they should either expel her or suspend her from the party for a few days.

Cases have been registered against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai in Delhi, UP and Bihar so far. There are allegations against Leena everywhere for hurting religious sentiments with the poster of the documentary 'Kaali'. The case has been registered in Lucknow, Gonda, and Lakhimpur of UP

Leena Manimekalai released the poster of her documentary 'Kaali', in which the actress turned mother Kali is seen smoking a cigarette. The poster also shows Maa Kali's trident in one hand and an LGBTQ flag in the other. After the poster surfaced on July 2, people got angry on social media. Many users accused the makers of hurting religious sentiments and there was a demand to arrest them.

On the ongoing controversy, Moitra further said that she is a Kali Worshipper and isn't afraid of anything.

Opposing the poster of Kali, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote in her tweet, "Freedom of expression cannot be reserved only for Hindu gods and goddesses." The sensibilities of the deities and people of all other religions are taken care of. I am hurt by the poster of Maa Kali, respect should be the same for all.