Some like it…NOT! Ukraine sparks outrage in India by posting image of Hindu goddess looking like Marilyn Monroe
- The cloud resembles a photograph of Monroe and her iconic billowing dress
- The defense ministry apologised for the post which sparked fury in India
The Ukrainian defense ministry has sparked outrage in India after posting an image on social media of Marilyn Monroe appearing as the Hindu goddess Kali.
The post showed an image of the 1950s Hollywood icon superimposed over a mushroom cloud from an explosion. In the image, Monroe is depicted as the sacred Hindu goddess Kali, the goddess of destruction.
The giant cloud resembles a photograph of Monroe taken during the filming of the 1954 film The Seven Year Itch where her white dress famously billowed up following a gust of wind.
In the artwork posted by Ukraine’s ministry of defense on Sunday, Monroe was recognisable as the sacred Hindu goddess, appearing with blue kin, a long and pointed tongue, and a garland of skulls adorning her neck.
The defense ministry has since apologised with the post causing severe disapproval, particularly in India where the vast majority of the population identifies as Hindu.
The post showed an image of the 1950s Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe appearing as goddess Kali, superimposed over a mushroom cloud from an explosion
The image is from the 1954 film The Seven Year Itch where Marilyn Monroe’s white dress famously billowed up following a gust of wind
The Ukraine defense ministry posted the image on Twitter on April 30 with the caption reading ‘work of art’.
It is believed the image of the mushroom cloud was a result of a Kyiv strike on Russian forces.
Indian official Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser to the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was one of many who found the image offensive.
Gupta tweeted: ‘Recently Ukraine [Deputy] Foreign Minister was in Delhi soliciting support from India Behind that fakery lurks the real face of Ukraine Govt. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster.
‘This is an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.’
After the image and tweet were taken down from the account, Emine Dzheppar, Ukraine’s first deputy minister of foreign affairs apologised and said the defense ministry ‘regretted’ the post.
‘We regret depicting Hindu goddess Kali in distorted manner. Ukraine and its people respect unique Indian culture and highly appreciate support.
‘The depiction has already been removed. Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect and friendship.’
In the artwork posted by Ukraine’s ministry of defense on Sunday, Monroe was recognisable as the sacred Hindu goddess, appearing with blue kin, a long and pointed tongue, and a garland of skulls adorning her neck
It is believed the image of the mushroom cloud was a result of a Kyiv strike on Russian forces
Last month Dzheppar travelled with Ukrainian officials to meet with representatives from the Indian government, the first such meeting between the two parties since the invasion.
India has claimed to take a neutral stance over the ongoing war. The country’s government has not expressed support for Ukraine, nor criticised Russia and Vladimir Putin for its actions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with high-ranking officials from both countries since the outbreak of the conflict, and has spoken with Putin himself.