Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Kaali row | FIR against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in Madhya Pradesh

Police in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday registered a case against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra over her remark about Goddess Kaali. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the crime branch police station in State capital Bhopal under section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (outraging religious feelings), an official said.

The case was registered on the complaint of Ram Chandra, 52, a tea-seller and resident of Jehangirabad area of the city, said police station in-charge Anoop Uikey. Moitra’s statement terming Goddess Kaali as meat-eating and alcohol-accepting deity hurt his religious feelings, the complaint said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleged that the TMC MP’s statement “has hurt religious feelings of Hindus.” “We will not tolerate disrespect to any Hindu Gods and Goddesses at any cost,” he said in a statement.

Moitra, MP from Krishnanagar, on Tuesday kicked up controversy at a conclave by saying that she had every right as an individual to imagine Goddess Kali as a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting deity, as each person had his or her unique way of offering prayers.

The TMC MP was asked for response to outrage over a film poster that showed a woman dressed as Goddess Kali smoking a cigarette and holding a pride flag.

Meanwhile, Moitra’s party has distanced itself from the remarks made by her on Kaali. “The comments made by @MahuaMoitra at the #IndiaTodayConclaveEast2022 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,” the party said in a statement on social media.

TMC spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekar Ray reiterated the party line. He said that the party had emphatically said on Tuesday that the remark by Moitra was in her personal capacity and the party condemned it.”At the same time the party feels the way goddess Kaali has been depicted in a film poster outside India, smoking a cigarette, that is also deplorable and we condemn it,” the TMC spokesperson said.   

Moitra, while participating in a conclave arranged by a media house in Kolkata, had pointed to a poster depicting a “version of the Goddess”. “Kaali to me is a meat eating... alcohol accepting Goddess. To me, that is Kaali,” Moitra had said.

The Krishnanagar MP took to Twitter to state that she did not back any poster. She suggested that those criticising her should visit Tarapith and see what offerings are made to the Goddess. “To all you sanghis — lying will NOT make you better hindus. I NEVER backed any film or poster or mention the word smoking. Suggest you visit my Maa Kali in Tarapith to see what food & drink is offered as bhog. Joy Ma Tara,” she tweeted.

Earlier in the day, State BJP unit Mahila Morcha president Tanuja Chakraborty lodged a complaint against the Krishnanagar MP at Kolkata’s Bowbazar Police Station. “Bring it on BJP!  Am a Kali worshipper. I am not afraid of anything. Not your ignoramuses. Not your goons. Not your police. And most certainly not your trolls. Truth doesn’t need back up forces,” Moitra tweeted. In another tweet, she added, “The goddess Bengalis worship is fearless & non-appeasing”.

 A number of BJP leaders, including party’s State president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have criticised Moitra and demanded her arrest. BJP Mahila Morcha supporters also held protests against the TMC MP in the city.