MP Mahua Moitra Says Kaali Is Meat-Eating, Alcohol-Accepting Goddess For Her; Faces Backlash

Mahua Moitra, a member of the Trinamool Congress, sparked a debate on Tuesday by asserting that she has every right to see Goddess Kali as a meat-eating, alcohol-accepting deity because everyone has the freedom to worship deities however they see fit.

The Krishnanagar MP said it depends on the person how they regard their gods while speaking at the Kolkata-based India Today Conclave East.

mahua

"If you go to Bhutan or Sikkim, for example, when they do puja, they give whisky to their god. Now, if you go to Uttar Pradesh and say that you give whisky to your god as prasad, they will say that is blasphemous," she said.

Moitra said that people have the right to imagine their gods or goddesses in any way they want.

Unsplash

"For me, Goddess Kali is a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting goddess. And if you go to Tarapith (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 said.

Mahua's statement was in response to a question about a movie that sparked controversy by displaying posters of Goddess Kali smoking.

Indiatimes

Moitra said, "I have the freedom to do it (envision a meat-eating goddess) as much as you have the freedom to worship your god as vegetarian and white-clothed."?

After her comments went viral, Moitra issued a clarification, attacking the Sangh Parivar.

"To all you sanghis – 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 offered as bhog. Joy Ma Tara," she tweeted.

The TMC distanced itself from the remark and denounced it. At the same time, the BJP attacked Moitra vehemently and questioned whether it was the official policy of West Bengal's ruling party to offend Hindu gods and goddesses.

Mahua Moitra

The BJP wondered whether insulting Hindu gods and goddesses was the official stand of the TMC.?

"TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should clarify it. This is not the first time that such instances have been reported. Earlier, too, TMC leaders have done the same. We think this is the official stand of the ruling TMC to hurt the sentiments of Hindus to get votes," BJP state vice-president Rathindra Bose said.

The ruling TMC, however, distanced itself from the comments and condemned the remarks by Moitra.

(With PTI inputs)

(For more interesting trending stories,?click here.)