New Delhi: The Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum, which landed in trouble for the inappropriate depiction of Hindu Gods, has issued an apology.
The move came after the Indian High Commission in Canada on Monday had urged the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw “all such provocative material”.
“The museum deeply regrets that one of the 18 short videos from ‘Under the Tent’ and its accompanying social media post have inadvertently caused offence to members of the Hindu and other faith communities,” the statement read.
The museum was hosting the works of students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds under the project titled “Under the Tent” organised by the Toronto Metropolitan University.
“Toronto Metropolitan University’s project presentation was hosted at the Aga Khan Museum in the context of the Museum’s mission to foster intercultural understanding and dialogue through the arts. Respect for diverse religious expressions and faith communities forms an integral part of that mission,” the statement said.
Kaali controversy
The controversy erupted after filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared the poster of the film on social media. The poster depicts a woman dressed in the costume of Goddess Kaali. She is seen smoking a cigarette in the photo. Along with her usual accoutrements of trishul (trident), and sickle, the actor playing the goddess is shown wielding the LGBTQ+ community’s pride flag.
