Delhi, UP Police File FIRs Against Canada Based Filmmaker

| Updated: 05 July, 2022 3:01 pm IST
Documentary filmmaker Leena Manimekalai (Pic courtesy: Twitter @LeenaManimekali)

NEW DELHI: A day after Delhi Police received a complaint against Canada-based documentary filmmaker Leena Manimekalai for allegedly releasing a derogatory poster of Hindu Goddess Kali for her upcoming movie, a case was registered against her at the IFSO (Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operation) unit of Cyber Cell.

Manimekalai was booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC.

Meanwhile, UP Police has also registered a case under charges of criminal conspiracy, offence in place of worship, deliberately hurting religious sentiments and intention to provoke breach of peace against her at Lucknow’s Hazratganj Police station. The UP police acted on a complaint lodged by advocate Ved Prakash Shukla.

In Delhi, a complaint was lodged by Gau Mahasabha against the filmmaker on Monday. A copy of the complaint was given to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana after which it was asked to take up the case by the IFSO unit of Delhi Police.

“A case is registered and we will send a summon to Manimekalai to join the probe. It has been stated that she is presently not present in India, “ said a Police officer.

Toronto-based filmmaker Manimekalai on Sunday released the poster of her upcoming movie in which a woman is seen wearing the costumes of Hindu Goddess Kali and smoking a cigarette.

Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film – today at @AgaKhanMuseumas part of its Rhythms of Canada. Feeling pumped with my CREW,” Leena tweeted.

Her tweet caused a lot of criticism and backlash on social media. Some demanded quick action against her.

The complaint filed by Gau Mahasabha stated that Maa Kali is an integral part of the Hindu Religion and worship across the world. The derogatory and offensive poster released by the accused hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees including him.

“The poster released by the accused hurt/insulted the religious feelings of Hindu Community including the Complainant and required strict legal action against the accused person on account of his offensive poster,” reads in the complaint. “This is not the first time when the accused made this kind of statement,” it further stated.

Also Read Story

Jadavpur University VC faces scrutiny over Convocation date, Legal lapses

IIT Delhi Students secure over 1200 job offers in 2024-25 placement

National Farmer’s Day 2024, honoring the legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh

Ladakhi hero who alerted India in Kargil War passes away