KOLKATA: Goddess Kali’s unlimited blessings are always with India, which is moving ahead with a spiritual energy for the welfare of the world, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while virtually addressing the centenary celebrations of Swami Atmasthananda, organized by the Ramakrishna Mission. The prime minister’s response comes in the wake of TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s recent controversial Kali remarks.
"Whenever I had the opportunity, I visited Belur Math and the Kali temple; it is natural to feel a connection. When your faith and beliefs are pure, the power (Goddess) herself shows you the way. The limitless blessings of Maa Kali are always with India. The country is moving ahead with this spiritual energy for the world's welfare", Modi said.
Earlier this month, a documentary poster, showing Goddess Kali smoking, released by Tamil filmmaker Leena Manimekalai, had stoked a controversy. Following which, Mahua Moitra’s remarks that one has every right to imagine Goddess Kali as a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting deity, added to the row. The poster showed a woman dressed as Kali smoking a cigarette. An LGBTQ flag was also seen in the background. The police have registered a case against Leena Manimekalai for hurting religious sentiments.