Kali Mata Idol Dressed as Mother Mary; Priest Detained

New Delhi, November 27, 2025: A major controversy was recently ignited in Mumbai after a video showing an idol of the Hindu Goddess Kali Mata adorned in attire resembling the Christian figure Mother Mary went viral on social media. The unexpected and highly unusual dressing of the deity at a local temple caused a significant public outcry, leading to the temporary detention of the temple’s priest by local police.

The Idol’s Altered Appearance

The video, which originated from a temple in the Mumbai area, captured the Kali Mata idol dressed in a blue and white robe with a veil covering the head, an ensemble traditionally associated with the depiction of Mother Mary. This blending of religious iconography was immediately noticed by devotees and was quickly filmed and shared across various social media platforms.

The swift circulation of the video caused widespread offense among a large segment of the Hindu community. The act was largely perceived as a disrespectful and unwarranted alteration of a revered religious symbol. Concerns were voiced that the dressing constituted an offense against religious sentiments and was an unnecessary provocation that could potentially lead to communal disharmony.

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Priest Is Detained

Following the public uproar generated by the viral video, an official complaint was lodged with the local police. A case was immediately registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) concerning offenses related to religion and religious feelings.

As a result of the complaint and the escalating tension, the temple’s chief priest was taken into custody by the Mumbai Police. The priest’s detention was carried out to allow for questioning regarding the motivation behind the decision to dress the idol in the contentious attire and to prevent any further escalation of the situation within the community. The investigation is currently underway to determine if the act was intended to be deliberately malicious or was simply an ill-advised artistic or religious experiment.

Calls for Religious Respect

The incident has opened up a broader conversation on social media regarding the limits of artistic interpretation in religious contexts and the importance of respecting diverse religious sentiments. While some marginal comments suggested the act was an attempt at promoting religious harmony, this view was largely overshadowed by the widespread sense of insult expressed by traditional devotees.

The controversy underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious symbols in India and the volatile nature of such issues when they are amplified through social media. The quick action taken by the police to detain the priest and initiate an inquiry was seen as a necessary measure to de-escalate the situation and ensure that law and order were maintained within the area. The temple’s management is currently expected to issue a formal apology or explanation concerning the highly contested choice of attire.