Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra sparked controversy as she said everyone has the right to worship their deities in their way. Thus, she has every right to imagine Goddess Kaali as a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting Goddess.
Following the statement, the BJP has gone hammers and tongs against Moitra. The centrally ruling party wondered whether it was the official ideology of West Bengal’s party in power. However, the TMC distanced themselves from the comment and condemned it.
The Krishnagar MP Moitra said, “If you go to Bhutan or Sikkim, for example, you might notice that people offer whisky to their god as a part of worship. If you go to Uttar Pradesh and say the same, they will consider it blasphemous.”
TMC’s out and loud public speaker, Moitra, said, “For me, Goddess Kali is a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting goddess. And if you go to Tarapeeth (a major Shakti peeth in West Bengal’s Birbhum district), you will see sadhus smoking. That is the version of Kali people worship (there). I, within Hinduism, being a Kali worshipper, have the right to imagine Kali in that way; that is my freedom.”
She made this statement when asked about a movie whose poster stirred a debate as it showed a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking. However, Moitra said without hesitation that it is her freedom to envision it as people see their deity as vegetarian and white-clothed.
Moitra clarified her remarks when they made headlines and attacked the Sangh Parivar. She tweeted, “To all, you sang his – lying will NOT make you better Hindus. I NEVER backed any film or poster or mentioned the word smoking. Suggest you visit my Maa Kali in Tarapith to see what food & drink is bhog. Joy Ma Tara.”
In a tweet, the All India Trinamool Congress condemned her remarks and said her views are personal.
West Bengal BJP President said, “TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee must clarify it. It is not the first time such an instance happened. Earlier, TMC leaders have made such remarks. It is becoming the official stand of the ruling TMC to hurt the sentiment of Hindus to get votes.”
However, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh refuted to comment on TMC MP Moitra’s marks. He said, “We respect gods and goddesses of all religions, and that is the character and beauty of our country.” Furthermore, he said, “Neither myself nor my party acknowledges any medium that impacts the sentiments of any religion. But these things are happening nowadays because the government does not want us to discuss the reasons behind the 5% GST on flour.”
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