New Delhi: Days after Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence tweeted a meme on Hindu goddess Kali that triggered outrage, Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar Tuesday issued an apology and expressed regret over depiction of the deity “in a distorted manner”. The controversial tweet has now been deleted.
“Ukraine & its people respect unique Indian culture & highly appreciate Indian support. The depiction has already been removed. Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect & friendship,” Dzheppar tweeted.
— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023
The controversy arose Sunday when the official Twitter page of the Ukrainian defence ministry tweeted an image of a morphed woman over a cloud of smoke, with the caption
‘a work of art’. The woman resembled Goddess Kali with her blue skin, tongue sticking out pose and a wreath of skulls around the neck. The illustration was created by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko.
It faced immense backlash from Indian officials as well as the public, with many calling it ‘Hinduphobic’ and ‘an assault of Hindu sentiments’. While the post was later deleted after backlash, screenshots of the post were widely shared on social media platforms asking for an apology.
“Behind that fakery lurks the real face of Ukraine Govt. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster,” tweeted Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Recently #Ukraine Dy Foreign Minister was in Delhi soliciting support from #India
Behind that fakery lurks the real face of Ukraine Govt. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster.
This is an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.@UkrembInd https://t.co/r84YlsUtZc pic.twitter.com/q7jSG0vGXH
— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) April 30, 2023
Russian representatives, including Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, also used this row to further express their
outrage against Ukraine.
Kiev regime doesn’t care about any beliefs, be it Hindu, Muslim or Christian Orthodox. It’s soldiers burn Koran, mock Kali, destroy Orthodox sacred places. The only ideology they worship is Nazism – Nationalist slogan says Ukraine is above everything/über alles! #NoToNazism https://t.co/HS8xcemZZz
— Dmitry Polyanskiy 🇺🇳 (@Dpol_un) May 2, 2023
Several Indian citizens also expressed outrage and demanded an apology, with many slamming Ukraine for insulting India after it sought help for the ongoing war against Russia.
A Twitter user wrote: “Absolutely disgraceful behaviour from @DefenceU (Defense of Ukraine) with their distasteful depiction mocking Maa Kali. India has given aid to Ukraine and this is how they repay them. Hindus demand an apology NOW.”
Another Twitter user called the Ukranian ministry’s tweet “a gross display of insensitivity and ignorance”.
I am absolutely appalled to see the Ukrainian defence handle mocking Maa Kali, a revered Hindu goddess. This is a gross display of insensitivity and ignorance. I urge them to take down the offensive content and issue an apology. Respect for all religions and beliefs is paramount.…
— Sudhanshu Singh (@sudhansh6359) April 30, 2023
Several people also demanded that the Indian foreign ministry and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar intervene in the matter.
In April, Dzheppar visited India during which she met Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and held bilateral talks. Lekhi had said that Ukraine has been assured of “enhanced humanitarian assistance”.
(Edited by Anumeha Saxena)
Also Read: Ukraine minister invites India to join Zelenskyy’s peace plan and grain initiative