Kali Poster Row : Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Quash Multiple FIRs

Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the multiple FIRs registered against her in various states over the poster of her documentary titled "Kaali". 

The petitions seek to quash the multiple FIRs registered in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh andUttarakhand on complaints against the same poster, which showed Manimekalai herself dressed as the the goddess Kaali, smoking a cigarette and holding a pride flag. She has also sought for a stay of the proceedings in the meantime.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to list the petition next Friday, after the matter was mentioned for urgent listing on January 13.

The petitioner says that her attempt as a creative filmmaker was to depict the image of a "radically inclusive goddess" and not to offend the religious sentiments of any person. Manimekalai, who identifies herself as queer, maintains the documentary projects the kinder and broadminded traits of the goddess. The petitioner contends that the multiple FIRs amount to harassment and infringement of her constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The film-maker says that she has faced several death threats and open calls for her beheading, rape and murder after she tweeted the poster. Therefore, she has also sought for action to be taken against those who attacked her in cyber space with threats of murder, rape and other extreme forms of violence against her.