Coimbatore police have arrested Athiradi Saraswathi aka Saraswathi for releasing threat videos against film-maker Leena Manimekalai. The poster of Leena's latest documentary film ‘Kaali’ ran into controversy. Saraswathi has been booked under sections 294 (b) and 506 (i) of the Indian Penal Code.
Saraswathi claiming herself to be the founder and president of Sashti Sena Hindu Makkal Iyakkam, a Hindu fringe group in Coimbatore, on Tuesday released a video against Leena Manimekalai and her documentary Kaali. Saraswathi threatened and abused Leena for depicting Kaali as smoking a cigarette in the poster. She said Leena had insulted the Hindu faith by releasing the first look poster of Kaali and abused her in foul language. The poster, on Tuesday, ran into controversy as it shows the face of a woman dressed like Hindu goddess Kaali, smoking a cigarette. The poster also has the LGBTQ community’s pride flag in the backdrop making the right-wingers record their opposition against the film. In Uttar Pradesh, several FIRs have been filed against film-maker Leena for depicting Kaali in such a way and insulting the Hindu faith.
Sashti Sena’s Saraswathi, hailing from Chokkampudur near Selvapuram in Coimbatore was picked up by the Selvapuram police from a woman’s hostel in Tiruppur. She has been booked under sections 294 (b) and 506 (i) of the Indian penal code.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Leena’s Kaali is still being criticised for its content. Leena who lives in Toronto on Tuesday tweeted that the “film revolves around the events that take place one evening when Goddess Kali appears and strolls on the streets of Toronto. If you watch the film there will be hashtag Love you Leena Manimekalai instead of Arrest Leena Manimekalai.” She also tweeted saying that she has nothing to lose and wants to be with a voice that speaks without fear.
