The Ukrainian Defence Ministry faced online backlash after posting an offensive tweet depicting the Hindu Goddess Kali in a distorted manner. The message was later removed, and Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova apologised.
The Offensive Tweet: On April 30, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry tweeted a picture of a blast with an improvised picture by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko. The picture depicted the blast in a unique yet offensive blend of famous American actress Marilyn Monroe in her ‘flying skirt’ pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu Goddess ‘Maa Kali’.
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The controversial tweet and its immediate backlash:
The tweet triggered massive online outrage, with users calling for an apology and the tweet to be taken down. Ukraine "regrets" the defence ministry's representation of goddess Kali in a "distorted manner," according to Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova, and the government "respects unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India."
Ukrainian minister’s recent visit to India:
Ms Dzhaparova had recently visited India, the first visit by a Ukrainian minister to India since the start of the Ukraine war in February last year. During his visit, the Ukrainian minister met with Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs.
Here are some key points about Ukraine:
• Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe, bounded to the east and northeast by Russia, to the north by Belarus, to the west by Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, and to the southwest by Romania and Moldova.
• The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv (also spelled Kiev), and Ukrainian is the official language.
• The population of Ukraine is approximately 44 million people.
• Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
• The current President of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelensky, who was elected in April 2019.
• Prior to his political career, Zelensky was a comedian, actor, and producer.
• Ukraine has a parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature known as the Verkhovna Rada.
• Ukraine's economy is the 27th largest in Europe and is strongly reliant on exports, particularly in the steel, agriculture, and energy sectors.
• Ukraine has been involved in a conflict with Russia since 2014, which began with the annexation of Crimea by Russia and has escalated into a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.