The presidential elections are just two weeks away and the atmosphere is full of energy. Amidst all, this a picture of US Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris as Durga is doing rounds. Durga is a Goddess in the Hindu mythology.
In the picture, Kamala is seen as Durga and she is stabbing President Donald Trump, who is depicted as Demon Mahishasur.
For the Democrats, Indian origin Kamala Harris has been trying to woo the Indian audience with her desi roots.
This picture, posted by niece Meena Harris on twitter was one such attempt. This attempt though backfired badly as Hindu groups and Twitter users slammed it as being disrespectful.
The Outrage
Many found the picture highly offensive and demanded an apology
Tweeting the picture with a caption, Meena said, “I am actually speechless, other than to say that the first day of Navaratri was LIT.”
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden was also shown in the image as the Lion, the ‘vahana’ (vehicle) of the goddess.
“Your tweeting a caricature of the feminine divine, Maa Durga, with faces superimposed, deeply aggrieved many Hindus globally,” tweeted Suhag A Shukla of Hindu American Foundation.
“If you think you are going to win Hindu votes by mocking us, think again. This image is highly offensive and insulting to Hindus. Our Divinities are NOT cultural curios for you to mock and trivialise. And you delete without an apology?” noted author Shefali Vaidya said in a tweet.
The outrage on the picture will likely settle only after an apology.
With the elections in its last leg, tensions are high in the air with both parties trying all tactics to woo the audiences.
Kamala Harris and Joe Biden both wished its Hindu voters Happy Navratri as the season kicked in.
HAF, which represents the Hindu American community, has issued a guideline for commercial use of images relating to the religion.
Rishi Bhutada of the Hindu American Political Action Committee said the “offensive” picture was not created by Meena Harris herself. It had been circulating on WhatsApp prior to her tweet and the Biden campaign confirmed to him that the image was not created by them.
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Ajay Shah, convener of American Hindus Against Defamation, said in a statement the image has offended and outraged the religious community.
Here are some angry tweets regarding this matter.