Kyiv: Emine Dzhaparov, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, on Tuesday issued an apology after an image tweeted by the country's Ministry of Defence triggered outrage on social media with netizens pointing out the resemblance of the image to Goddess Kali.
Dzhaparova said Ukraine "regrets" the defence ministry's depiction of goddess Kali in a "distorted manner" and that the European country "respects unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India". She added the depiction had been removed.
“We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine & its people respect unique #Indian culture & highly appreciate support. The depiction has already been removed. is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect& friendship," Dzhaparova tweeted.
The image was tweeted by the Ministry on April 30 with the caption "Work of art," and was an improvised picture by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko.
In the picture, the artist depicted a female above blast smoke who resembled famous American actress Marilyn Monroe in her 'flying skirt' pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu Goddess 'Maa Kali'.
Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting called the image "an assault on Hindu sentiments". Gupta was among the many netizens who demanded an apology from Ukraine over the image.
Many had slammed the Ukraine government, saying it was insulting to portray a goddess widely worshipped in the country in a distorted manner that too after seeking help from India.
The defence ministry's tweet had come just days after Emine Dzhaparova visited India. She was the first high-ranking Ukrainian official to visit India ever since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022.
Emine had met Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi and handed her a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking India’s intervention in the Russian-Ukraine war.
After posting the picture, the tweet triggered a massive backlash, forcing the Defence Ministry of Defence to delete the Twitter post.