Remove "smoking Kaali' poster" IHC urges Canadian authorities
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New Delhi: After Hindu community in Canada raised protest against 'smoking Kaali' poster, the Indian High Commission urged the Canadian authorities to withdraw the "provocative material".
On Monday, July 4, Toronto-based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared the poster of a movie on social media, causing an eruption of protest against her.
The poster has a woman dressed up in the costume of Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette as well as holding a trident in one hand, and a LGBTQ+ pride flag in another.
A hashtag #ArrestLeenaManimekalai trending on the social media sought the arrest of Madhurai-born filmmaker, who urged people to watch the movie first before vilifying it.
Social media users demanded the Aga Khan Museum, where the film was launched, to take it down immediately.
In the heat of the protest, the High Commission stepped in asking authorities to withdraw the post.
The High Commission added that it received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada against "disrespectful" depiction of Hindu Gods.