Respect Unique Indian Culture: Ukraine Apologises For Tweet On Goddess Kali

Ukraine's first Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted an apology stating that the country regrets depicting the Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner.

Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Source : Getty Images

Following a massive backlash from Indians, Ukraine has now apologised for presenting Hindu Goddess Kali in a distorted manner. The first Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Emine Dzheppar said that the country regrets depicting the Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner and that Ukraine and its people respect unique Indian culture. She added that Ukraine highly appreciates India's support. This comes after the official account of Ukraine's Defence Ministry on Sunday (April 30) posted a photo that appeared to depict the Indian goddess Kali morphed over fumes.

"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," Dzheppar tweeted.

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.

— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023

Notably, the post had infuriated Indian netizens who called it offensive and "Hinduphobic". The Ukrainian defence ministry captioned the image as a "Work of art". The image resembled Sam Shaw's iconic Marilyn Monroe "flying skirt" photo from 1954. Netizens were outraged at the Ukrainian ministry for allegedly mocking 'Hindu culture' with the caricature of the Hindu goddess. Soon after the backlash the ministry deleted the tweet.

Indian users took to Twitter to express their outrage at the mocking of the Hindu Goddess, and they also wrote on Ukraine Defense's official page.

"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, another, tweeted.

Many angry Indian Twitter users began tagging CEO Elon Musk and India's foreign minister S Jaishankar, pleading with them to take strict action.