The poster of documentary film ‘Kaali’ showing the Goddess smoking has sparked outrage among netizens online. According to reports, an FIR has been filed against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai, who’s accused of hurting religious sentiments with the film’s “objectionable poster”.
The FIR was filed by Delhi-based lawyer Vineet Jindal who took to Twitter to give an update about the matter. The lawyer has called out for the ban on the poster and also the clip from the documentary film. The Delhi-based lawyer has claimed that the poster showing Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette is hurtful towards the beliefs of the Hindu community.
After the controversial poster was shared on social media, and the FIR was filed consequentially, #Arrestleenamanimekalai became a trend on Twitter. While many netizens called for the ban on documentary, others called out for the arrest of the documentary’s filmmaker.
After receiving flak on social media, Manimekalai tried to use social media to her advantage. She appealed people to use hashtag “love you Leena manimekalai” instead of #Arrestleenamanimekalai.
Taking to Twitter, the Canada-based filmmaker wrote, “The film revolves around the events that take place one evening, when Kali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto. If you see the picture, don’t put the hashtag ‘arrest Leena manimekalai’ and put the hashtag ‘love you Leena manimekalai.”
The Facts of the Matter
In the recent times, several movies, shows and brands have been accused of hurting religious sentiments, and have received flak of netizens on social media. In line with such incidents, recently, a poster of a documentary by a Canada-based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai not only received flak online, but also became the cause of an FIR being filed against Leena.
It all started when Leena took to Twitter and shared the poster of her documentary film Kaali. The poster showed a woman dressed as Hindu Goddess Kaali, smoking a cigarette and holding a pride that symbolizes LGBT community.
Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film – today at @AgaKhanMuseum as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”
Link: https://t.co/RAQimMt7LnI made this performance doc as a cohort of https://t.co/D5ywx1Y7Wu@YorkuAMPD @TorontoMet @YorkUFGS
Feeling pumped with my CREW❤️ pic.twitter.com/L8LDDnctC9
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) July 2, 2022
Also Read: UP: Headmaster Suspended for Pelting Stones at Female Teachers and Filming Them Secretly
#Arrestleenamanimekalai Trends
After she shared the poster, Leena received flak left and right of netizens who called her out for hurting religious sentiments. Moreover, some netizens also called for the filmmaker’s arrest, making “#Arrestleenamanimekalai” becoming a trend.
This is blasphemy and hurts Hindu religious sentiment.
.@AgaKhanMuseum needs to take this down immediately. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @KirenRijiju
— SanksP 🇮🇳🏴 (@SanksP) July 3, 2022
Every day H!ndu religion is mocked, Is govt. testing our patience ??
Dear @AmitShah @HMOIndia @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia Please don't forget how we were questioned for hurting religious sentiments & needful action must be taken.https://t.co/MkaarqeZFU
— Chandra Prakash Singh (@CpSingh9714) July 3, 2022
Why are Hindu gods, goddesses and articles of faith mocked, ridiculed, demeaned at the altar of 'liberal creativity'? Must Hindus be punished for their tolerance? Aren't Hindus being forced to adopt a more hardline posture? https://t.co/B5wS8J7xJu
— Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) July 3, 2022
I'm literally crying 😭 I'm so upset with all the insulting on Hindu Gods. What really makes me cry is that I have Hindus messaging & comment to me that it's okay. NO, it's not okay. Shame on you. Nothing but pseudo-secularist Hindus. I'm fed up with you. #ArrestLeenaManimekali
— Renee Lynn (@Voice_For_India) July 4, 2022
Making documentary on Prophet is blasphemy & crime, making documentary on hindu goddess & insulting her is okay for modern mind cult society, ultimate liberalism of educated mindset. All coz hindus never slaughtered anyone for blasphemy.
Condemnable #ArrestLeenaManimekali pic.twitter.com/3ptRRvUF92— Himank chaudhary (@Himankch) July 3, 2022
FIR Filed Against Filmmaker
Matters escalated greatly as it was reported that an FIR was filed against the filmmaker. The FIR was filed by Vineet Jindal, a Delhi-based lawyer, who demanded the poster and the objectionable clip be banned. Jindal claimed that the poster showing goddess Kaali smoking is hurting the sentiments of Hindu community.
“Complaint filed by @vineetJindal19 with @DCP_CCC_Delhi against #LeenaManimekali for her derogatory clip and photo of Maa #Kaali from her Film. @LeenaManimekaliyou will face the consequences for doing this illegal act of hurting hindu religious sentiments,” his tweet read.
Complaint filed by @vineetJindal19 with @DCP_CCC_Delhi against #LeenaManimekali for her derogatory clip and photo of Maa #Kaali from her Film. @LeenaManimekali you will face the consequences for doing this illegal act of hurting hindu religious sentiments. #ArrestLeenaManimekali https://t.co/jysu4O1s5Y
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) July 4, 2022
Also Read: Maharashtra Chemist Murdered Over Post on Nupur Sharma, Amit Shah Orders Probe
‘Kaali’ Director Appeals to People
After being on the receiving end of flak by infuriated netizens, the filmmaker took to social media and appealed people to not use hashtag pertaining to her arrest, but love for her. “The film revolves around the events that take place one evening, when Kali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto. If you see the picture, don’t put the hashtag ‘arrest Leena manimekalai’ and put the hashtag ‘love you Leena manimekalai.’”, her roughly translated tweet read.
ஒரு மாலைப்பொழுது, டோரோண்டோ மாநகரத்தில காளி தோன்றி வீதிகளில் உலா வரும்போது நடக்கிற சம்பவங்கள் தான் படம். படத்தைப்பார்த்தா “arrest leena manimekalai” hashtag போடாம “love you leena manimekalai” hashtag போடுவாங்க.✊🏽 https://t.co/W6GNp3TG6m
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) July 4, 2022
Also Read: Pak: Samsung Faces Heat of Protesters over Alleged Blasphemy, Billboards Vandalized, 27 Detained
Appeal Backfires
Her appeal was lost on enraged netizens who called her out for not apologizing and seeking publicity by “dishonoring God”.
Instead of saying sorry she is saying to support her just see her guts no fear of mocking hindus. Now no SC Judge will speak for it.#ArrestLeenaManimekalai https://t.co/09bbXTEueW
— Pratham Singhal (@IprathamSinghal) July 4, 2022
Wow! This is the best way to seek #publicity ! Dishonorig God is the easiest way for some people to attract everyone’s eyes. @LeenaManimekali where did you see #maakali smoking cigarette ? #ANSWER ? @KapilMishra_IND please teach them what actual #Hindutva is. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/A5v2PNWV2j
— Kanchi Bansal (@KanchiBansal) July 4, 2022
The fact that she's openly enjoying her freedom is bcz the joke is on Hindu goddess, be it any other religion, she'd be …
Anyways we can't expect anything else, coz judges in Apex court just wants to pass comments and then annoyed when ppl criticise their comments.— Rajdeep Sardukhai (@RajSardukhai12) July 4, 2022
If you don't believe in Hindu religion,but it's not your right to disrespect Hindu religion
— ch_anchal (@ch_anchal_) July 4, 2022
Follow Us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Flipboard | Google News