PM Modi invokes 'Kali' amid poster row

Tribune News Service

Shubhadeep Choudhury

New Delhi, July 10

Goddess Kali’s unlimited blessings are always with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in a video message on the birth centenary celebrations of Swami Atmasthananda, a former head of Ramakrishna Mission.

His comments came amid a row over the controversial depiction of the goddess in a poster by a Canadian film-maker of Indian origin, which has drawn angry reaction from BJP leaders and Hindu groups. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra’s remarks on the matter added to the row.

Blessings with India

Maa Kali’s unlimited blessings are always with India. With the spiritual energy, India is moving ahead with the spirit of world’s welfare. —Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

The Prime Minister spoke about the extreme devotion of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and his disciple Vivekananda to goddess Kali. Noting his association with Swami Atmasthananda, he said the saint would often mention Maa Kali and that it was natural for him to feel an association with the goddess while looking at her temple at Dakshineswar during his visit to Belur Math.

“When faith is sacred, then shakti shows us the way herself. Maa Kali’s unlimited blessings are always with India. With the spiritual energy, India is moving ahead with the spirit of world’s welfare,” he said.

Later, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya gave the PM’s speech a political spin. “The PM spoke reverentially about the goddess being the centre of devotion, not just for Bengal but the whole of India. On the other hand, a TMC MP insults Maa Kali and Mamata Banerjee instead of acting against her, defended her,” Malviya said in a tweet.

Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, a noted Kolkata-based Indologist, said while there was nothing wrong in Moitra’s remarks, she could have couched her observations in a more acceptable language.

“When goddess Kali is offered puja in the tantric tradition, she is offered meat, liquor etc. When Vaishnavas worship her, they do it differently. Instead of sacrificing an animal, the Vaishnavas sacrifice a pumpkin and so on,” said Bhaduri.

He, however, added it was not necessary for the TMC to issue a statement distancing itself from Moitra’s remarks. TMC MP Saugata Roy said Banerjee was a devotee of Kali and held puja at her residence every year.

BJP takes dig at west bengal CM

Targeting Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya, said, “The PM spoke reverentially about the goddess. On the other hand, a TMC MP insulted Maa Kali and Banerjee instead of acting against her, defended her.”

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