Shillong, May 2: After a massive uproar over a Tweet by Ukraine Defense Ministry mocking Goddess Kali, the country apologized to India and Hindus.
After the nation’s defense ministry tweeted a picture of Goddess Kali, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, Emine Dzhaparova, apologised on Tuesday.
Ukraine “regrets” the way the defense ministry portrayed the goddess Kali, according to Emine Dzhaparova, adding the nation “respects the unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India.”
The now-deleted tweet from the Ukrainian military ministry had the tagline “Work of art” and a picture of Goddess Kali placed over a blast smoke.
We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine &its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciate🇮🇳support.The depiction has already been removed.🇺🇦is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect&💪friendship.
— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023
The tweet sparked a great deal of uproar as Indian internet users sought an apology and said the image offended Hindu sentiments.
Many criticised the Ukrainian government, claiming that by turning to India for assistance, it was insulting a goddess that is revered widely in the nation. Emine Dzhaparova had visited India just days before the tweet from the military ministry. Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, she was the first senior Ukrainian official to travel to India.
When Emine met with Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, she gave her a letter from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
After the tweet by Ukraine Defense Ministry, thousands of Indian on the micro blogging website supported Russia for attacking Ukraine.