What was the Tweet all about?

Tweet Deleted After Outrage

Moments later, the tweet caused outrage in India and netizens termed the incident as ‘Hinduphopbic’. However, massive reactions from the social media users in India, the tweet was promptly removed by the Ukraine’s Defence’s Twitter handle.

An angry user Monica Verma tweeted, “Shocking! Official handle of Ukraine Defense Ministry is portraying Maa Kali in a demeaning pose. This is not a work of art. Our faith is not a matter of joke. Take it down and apologise @DefenceU.

Another user Sudhanshu Singh wrote, “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.”

Another user reacted in dismay, “Sad to see the government of Ukraine harbour such hate and mock more than a billion Hindus worldwide. It’s unbecoming of a country that claims to be a victim of war. Instead of deriding Kali Ma, try seeking her blessing to fight off evil of all kinds. Ukraine could really use it right now.”

“This centuries-old obsession with disparaging Goddess Kali Ma continues to run deep in the West. It’s replete with ignorance and bigotry and no matter how woke the new generations get, some malicious fixations will remain deeply entrenched forever. Ukraine’s insatiable urge to identify with everything Western is clear as day, but complete deracination will never work in its favour. I hope good sense prevails while there’s still something to protect. @DefenceU,” she further stated.

Meanwhile, Kanchan Gupta, who is senior advisor to the Ministry of Broadcast and Information, has reacted on the issue saying, “Recently Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister was in Delhi soliciting support from India. Behind that fakery lurks the real face of the Ukraine government. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster. This is an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in a so-called special operation on 24 February 2022. So far, thousands of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers and civilians have been killed or injured in over one-year long war.