Why Can’t Durga Bleed, Asks Twitter Post Controversial Artwork

A Mumbai-based artist faced a lot of online backlash after he made a post about a menstruating goddess Durga.

The artwork was taken down after people protested.

(Photo: Aniket Mitra/ Facebook)

Durga Puja, which marks Goddess Durga’s homecoming, has always been a symbol of strength and power, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Ironically, a lot of women are barred from taking part in the Puja festivities when they are menstruating.

Mumbai-based graphic designer Aniket Mitra has drawn flak for a certain illustration that calls out the same:

The illustration has a sanitary napkin that is surrounded by a decorative halo popularly known as ‘Chalchitro’, usually seen around the Goddesses, primarily Durga. A red lotus is painted on the napkin. Below the image, the caption reads,“manifestation of strength”.

This is how social media reacted to the artwork:

People came out in support too.(Photo: mitraniket/Instagram screenshot)

“Getting Called an Anti-National”

However, soon after Mitra shared the poster on his Facebook wall, he faced backlash. He had to take down the image because of incessant flak.

According to reports, many users on social media reacted with anger. Some users even went to the extent of calling him 'anti-Hindu' and 'anti-national', while some others accused him of insensitivity towards Indian ‘religion and culture’.

A user even called for his arrest.