M.F. Husain: Easy Target

[Guest guest]

Editorial from the Newspaper " The Hindu, " on 8-may-07

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/08/stories/2007050803400800.htm

 

Of Husain, hate and harassment

 

There is something terribly amiss about a social order that coerces a

law-abiding 91-year-old artist — India's most celebrated painter —

into leaving the country because of harassment by rank communalists

and moral vigilantes. There is also something lopsided about the

priorities of a criminal justice system that orders the attachment of

his properties when cases against hardened criminals drag on

interminably. Formally, the circumstances that led the Mumbai police

to paste an attachment notice outside M.F. Husain's Cuffe Parade

residence have the stamp of due legal process — a petition before a

Haridwar court, the issue of summons and non-bailable warrants,

proclaiming the accused as an `absconder,' and an order to attach his

property under Section 83 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

The outrageousness of all this becomes plain when one considers the

nature of the painter's so-called offence. The case in Haridwar

relates to a tired and hollow controversy — the alleged `obscenity'

of a couple of his works. Now that the police have discovered that

the house is no more in Mr. Husain's name, the elements of tragic-

comedy seem complete.

 

It is astonishing that an artist of the stature, integrity, and

secular spirit of Mr. Husain continues to be harassed by malicious

litigation. These cases, usually filed under Sections 153-A

(promoting enmity) and 295-A (outraging religious feelings) of the

Indian Penal Code, are but the legal face of a violent and

orchestrated campaign waged by fundamentalist elements against

creativity. Over the last few years, these fanatics have threatened

the artist, ransacked his house, and defaced his paintings.

Surprisingly, instead of upholding the fundamental right to freedom

of expression, some lower courts have been extraordinarily tolerant

in entertaining the vexatious complaints. By doing so, they have

unwittingly provided a handle to the enemies of cultural freedom and

liberal thought. There is little doubt that the criminal cases

against Mr. Husain will fail. But the mischief-makers may have

already succeeded — because the process has become the punishment,

especially for a nonagenarian free spirit.

[Guest guest]

interesting!! You foret that " The Hindu " is a rabid anti-hindu left leaning

daily. Hussain had specifically stated that he paints in teh nude anything he

hates. all his Muslim themes are FULLY clothed whereas ALL his Hindu themes are

fully nude.

He became a painter after he started a liaison with Indira Gandhi.

 

 

ganpra <ganpra wrote:

Editorial from the Newspaper " The Hindu, " on 8-may-07

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/08/stories/2007050803400800.htm

 

Of Husain, hate and harassment

 

There is something terribly amiss about a social order that coerces a

law-abiding 91-year-old artist — India's most celebrated painter —

into leaving the country because of harassment by rank communalists

and moral vigilantes. There is also something lopsided about the

priorities of a criminal justice system that orders the attachment of

his properties when cases against hardened criminals drag on

interminably. Formally, the circumstances that led the Mumbai police

to paste an attachment notice outside M.F. Husain's Cuffe Parade

residence have the stamp of due legal process — a petition before a

Haridwar court, the issue of summons and non-bailable warrants,

proclaiming the accused as an `absconder,' and an order to attach his

property under Section 83 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

The outrageousness of all this becomes plain when one considers the

nature of the painter's so-called offence. The case in Haridwar

relates to a tired and hollow controversy — the alleged `obscenity'

of a couple of his works. Now that the police have discovered that

the house is no more in Mr. Husain's name, the elements of tragic-

comedy seem complete.

 

It is astonishing that an artist of the stature, integrity, and

secular spirit of Mr. Husain continues to be harassed by malicious

litigation. These cases, usually filed under Sections 153-A

(promoting enmity) and 295-A (outraging religious feelings) of the

Indian Penal Code, are but the legal face of a violent and

orchestrated campaign waged by fundamentalist elements against

creativity. Over the last few years, these fanatics have threatened

the artist, ransacked his house, and defaced his paintings.

Surprisingly, instead of upholding the fundamental right to freedom

of expression, some lower courts have been extraordinarily tolerant

in entertaining the vexatious complaints. By doing so, they have

unwittingly provided a handle to the enemies of cultural freedom and

liberal thought. There is little doubt that the criminal cases

against Mr. Husain will fail. But the mischief-makers may have

already succeeded — because the process has become the punishment,

especially for a nonagenarian free spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Kochu,

 

I do not know about the rabid anti-hindu stance of the newspaper. But,

the editorial does point out the fallacy of the law - targetting an

individual because he drew something while bunch of criminal-

politicians who have done worse in hurting the nation and its people

are not prosecuted similarly.

 

G

 

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> interesting!! You foret that " The Hindu " is a rabid anti-hindu left

leaning daily. Hussain had specifically stated that he paints in teh

nude anything he hates. all his Muslim themes are FULLY clothed whereas

ALL his Hindu themes are fully nude.

> He became a painter after he started a liaison with Indira Gandhi.

>

[Guest guest]

hi, it is regarded 'progressive' to allow hussain's to have their ability

displayed

in the name of freedom of expression and those who create a line to support

such things ensure that crucial issues of food security, poverty removal and

global warming also remain in the precincts of seminars in five starred

hotels.

 

sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote:

i can write a line by line word for word reply to this editorial. This

red fellow traveller has done IMHO a lot of harm to National polity and National

defene by his articles and op-eds. Because he inherited a National News paper

that was respected a lot he feels he can carry on his agenda based on a now

defunct political philosophy. I cannot off hand mention specific examples as

this is an opinion built up over a long time.

Just because politicians are raping India, it does not mean that people cn

attack and hurt the sentiments of religions other than one's own.

Why is it that this so called " artist " paint matters of his own religion? Or is

it that " artistic freedom " is limited to attacking the oldest living religion in

the world and not the militant ones?? This is crass commercialism and roiding

piggy back on " secularism " which now means attacking hinduism alone.

 

 

ganpra <ganpra wrote:

Kochu,

 

I do not know about the rabid anti-hindu stance of the newspaper. But,

the editorial does point out the fallacy of the law - targetting an

individual because he drew something while bunch of criminal-

politicians who have done worse in hurting the nation and its people

are not prosecuted similarly.

 

G

 

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> interesting!! You foret that " The Hindu " is a rabid anti-hindu left

leaning daily. Hussain had specifically stated that he paints in teh

nude anything he hates. all his Muslim themes are FULLY clothed whereas

ALL his Hindu themes are fully nude.

> He became a painter after he started a liaison with Indira Gandhi.

>

 

 

Need Mail bonding?

Go to the Mail Q & A for great tips from Answers users.

 

 

[Guest guest]

i can write a line by line word for word reply to this editorial.

This red fellow traveller has done IMHO a lot of harm to National

polity and National defence by his articles and op-eds. Because he

inherited a National News paper that was respected a lot he feels he

can carry on his agenda based on a now defunct political philosophy.

I cannot off hand mention specific examples as this is an opinion

built up over a long time.

Just because politicians are raping India, it does not mean that

people can attack and hurt the sentiments of religions other than

one's own.

 

Why is it that this so called " artist " does not paint matters of his

own religion? Or is it that " artistic freedom " is limited to

attacking the oldest living religion in the world and not the

militant ones?? This is crass commercialism and riding piggy back

on " secularism " which now means attacking Hinduism alone.

 

If he paints ANYTHING derogatory to Islam, he will have n place to

run to!! And all this story of " fear of life " is a lot of hogwash

intended to further the propaganda of the " secularists " aka Hindu

haters.

 

I have put my comments to the op-ed in caps in brackets.

 

, " ganpra " <ganpra wrote:

 

Editorial from the Newspaper " The Hindu, " on 8-may-07

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/08/stories/2007050803400800.htm

 

Of Husain, hate and harassment

 

There is something terribly amiss about a social order that coerces

a law-abiding (IPSI DIXIT WITHOUT ANY BASIS. THIS IS THE AUTHOR'S

OPINION. JUST BECAUSE HE IS A JOURNALIST HE IS NOT A JUDGE TO ECLARE

THIS PERSON LAW ABIDING) 91-year-old artist — India's most celebrated

painter (MADE SO FOR PILTICAL REASONS BY INDIRA GANDHI AND A FEW WHO

MADE MONEY ON THIS SCORE – EVEN A CHILD CAN DRAW BETTER) — into

leaving the country because of harassment by rank communalists and

moral vigilantes(WAS IT NOT A LEFTIST PSEUDESECULAR MUSLIM UMMAH

PROPAGANDA STUNT???). There is also something lopsided about the

priorities of a criminal justice system that orders the attachment of

his properties when cases against hardened criminals drag on

interminably.(OF COURSE AND THIS INLUDES ESCAPE FOR THE LEFT

CRIMINALS WHO ARE THE AUTHO'S FRIENDS?? WHERE IS THE RAGE AGAINST THE

THEFT OF LEFTIST KERALA'S MONEY IN THE LAVLIN SCANAL AND MANY MANY

OTHERS?? BUT THAT'S LET EH?? WHAT ABUT THE NEO MILLIONIRES IN KERALA

MARXIST PARTY WHO WERE IMPEUNIOUS NOT LONG AGO?? WHAT ABOUT THE

COMRADES WOSE CILEN STUDY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE STATE SO

THAT THE LEFT INSPIRED SRIKES DO NOT AFFECT THEM??) Formally, the

circumstances that led the Mumbai police to paste an attachment

notice outside M.F. Husain's Cuffe Parade residence have the stamp of

due legal process — a petition before a Haridwar court, the issue of

summons and non-bailable warrants, proclaiming the accused as an

`absconder,' and an order to attach his property under Section 83 of

the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. (THESE ARE ALL LEGAL AND PROPER

DUE PROCESS. BUT DO MARXISTS RECOGNISE THEM??)

The outrageousness of all this becomes plain when one considers the

nature of the painter's so-called offence. The case in Haridwar

relates to a tired and hollow controversy — the alleged `obscenity'

of a couple of his works. Now that the police have discovered that

the house is no more in Mr. Husain's name, the elements of tragic-

comedy seem complete. (AS LONG AS IT IS ANTI HINDU ITS OK EH??)

(WHERE WAS THE RAGE AGAINST MUSLIM ATION TO DANISH CARTOONS PLS??)

 

It is astonishing that an artist of the stature, integrity, and

secular spirit (CAN YOU SOW ONE EXAMPLE PLEASE??) of Mr. Husain

continues to be harassed by malicious litigation. These cases,

usually filed under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity) and 295-A

(outraging religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code, are but the

legal face of a violent and orchestrated campaign waged by

fundamentalist elements against creativity. Over the last few years,

these fanatics have threatened the artist, ransacked his house, and

defaced his paintings.

Surprisingly, instead of upholding the fundamental right to freedom

of expression, some lower courts have been extraordinarily tolerant

in entertaining the vexatious complaints. By doing so, they have

unwittingly provided a handle to the enemies of cultural freedom and

liberal thought. There is little doubt that the criminal cases

against Mr. Husain will fail. (IS THIS GENTLEMAN AWARE THAT THE LAST

TIME HE DID IT, HE ESCAPED APOLOGISING?? APOLOGY IS AN ADMISSION OF

A MISTAKE. SO HOW CAN IT FAIL??) But the mischief-makers may have

already succeeded — because the process has become the punishment,

especially for a nonagenarian free spirit.( FREE SPIRIT ONLY IN

ATTACKING HINDUISM?? WHERE IS THIS SPIRIT IN KEEPING QUIET ABOUT

ISLAM?? WILL THIS GENTLEMAN ASK HUSSAIN MIAN TO PAINT SOMETHING

ISLAMIC IN THE SAME VEIN TO SHOW HIS SECULARISM??)

I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS PART OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH CAMPAIGN IN

CONCERT WITH THE DEAD MARXIST IDEOLOGY TO WEAKEN AND DESTROY

INDIA.THATS WHY HE TALKS OF ALL THIS 'HARASMENT' AND 'THREAT TO LIFE'

WICH ARE ALL UMMAH PROPAGANDAS.

IN SHORT HUSSAIN IS AN UMMA AGENT AND THE EDITOR WHO WROTE THE OP-ED

IS A SUCKER FOR UMMAH PROPAGANDA.

[Guest guest]

My two cents again:

 

*** Hussain had specifically stated that he paints in the nude

anything he hates. all his Muslim themes are FULLY clothed whereas ALL

his Hindu themes are fully nude. ***

 

I was never aware of Husain's quotation that he " he paints in the nude

anything he hates. " The only source I can find for it is a

specifically anti-Husain page on the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti website,

and the quote is the " conclusion " of the critique's author, not the

words of Husain himself. The site also notes that his Christian

portrayals (e.g. Mother Theresa) are clothed.

 

My feeling is that Husain is an extremely talented artist (to call him

the " Picasso of India " doesn't seem much of an overstatement) -- but I

certainly concede that (like Picasso, gain) he was an over-the-top

self-promoter who intentionally courted controversy. I suspect that

his nude Hindu deities were not meant to insult as much as draw

attention to himself -- though yes, it is arguable that the lack of

" nude Muslim deities " (though there is no theological or historical

precedent for such a thing anyway) might be construed as a cowardly

bit of selective self-preservation.

 

But looking at the facts, I see Husain at 90-something as having

simply outlived the days when such marketing ploys would be considered

too innocuous to matter much outside the art world. Islam has become

radicalized and militant, and in response radical and militant Hindu

organizations have risen in righteous defense. Unfortunately, I feel

they are wasting their rage -- making themselves ridiculous, in fact

-- by slashing pictures and threatening some eccentric old

non-conformist rather than engaging the real enemies.

 

Shashi Tharoor, an astute commentator on Indian affairs whom I tend to

respect, put it well:

 

" That M.F. Husain, pre-eminent modern Indian artist, and one of the

country's best-known Muslims, should have derived inspiration from an

ancient Hindu epic is not in itself surprising. Husain has always felt

free to find his images and symbols in the cultural heterogeneity of

his native land, and the Mahabharata, unlike its sacred twin, the

Ramayana, is essentially a secular epic. It also occupies a unique

place in the Indian national consciousness, one that lends itself

remarkably well to artistic reinvention. The epic allowed Husain to

take characters and images that are laden with epic resonance, and to

alter and shape them to paint a contemporary canvas. ...

 

" In much of Husain's work, Hindu myths and epic narratives both

contribute to and reflect the national consciousness that his own

creativity has done so much to influence. In reiterating the epic, the

artist and his audience both reaffirm the shaping of their own

cultural identity. This is an important statement for Husain to make

as a Muslim and an Indian: he is staking his claim to a heritage that

some chauvinist Hindus have sought to deny to those not of their own

persuasion. In recent years these zealots have sought to challenge

Husain's right to use Hindu imagery, attacking exhibitions in which he

has depicted nude goddesses, denouncing him for sacrilege in his

borrowings from the epics. The vast majority of India's art-lovers and

intellectuals have rallied to his defence — and with the Mahabharata

they have rightly asserted that Husain has no case to answer. For,

there is nothing restrictive or self-limiting about the Indian

identity the Mahabharata asserts: it is large, eclectic and flexible,

containing multitudes. "

 

(For full commentary see: http://tinyurl.com/3dq8es )

 

*** He became a painter after he started a liaison with Indira Gandhi. ***

 

By all accounts, he was a gifted painter from childhood. Husain was

admitted to the Sir J. J. School of Art in Bombay in 1935, when Indira

was 17 and he was 19. For the next 10 years he was painting cinema

hoardings in Bombay, while she as Nehru's daughter was living in New

Delhi. If they did have a " liaison, " it certainly didn't mark the

beginning of his painting career. So when did this " liaison " happen

and what was its nature? And moreover, how does it prove he's

virulently anti-Hindu?

 

Just curious ...

 

DB

 

, mohan padmanabhan

<mohankp23 wrote:

>

> hi, it is regarded 'progressive' to allow hussain's to have their

ability displayed

> in the name of freedom of expression and those who create a line

to support

> such things ensure that crucial issues of food security, poverty

removal and

> global warming also remain in the precincts of seminars in five

starred hotels.

>

> sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote:

> i can write a line by line word for word reply to this

editorial. This red fellow traveller has done IMHO a lot of harm to

National polity and National defene by his articles and op-eds.

Because he inherited a National News paper that was respected a lot he

feels he can carry on his agenda based on a now defunct political

philosophy. I cannot off hand mention specific examples as this is an

opinion built up over a long time.

> Just because politicians are raping India, it does not mean that

people cn attack and hurt the sentiments of religions other than one's

own.

> Why is it that this so called " artist " paint matters of his own

religion? Or is it that " artistic freedom " is limited to attacking the

oldest living religion in the world and not the militant ones?? This

is crass commercialism and roiding piggy back on " secularism " which

now means attacking hinduism alone.

>

>

> ganpra <ganpra wrote:

> Kochu,

>

> I do not know about the rabid anti-hindu stance of the newspaper. But,

> the editorial does point out the fallacy of the law - targetting an

> individual because he drew something while bunch of criminal-

> politicians who have done worse in hurting the nation and its people

> are not prosecuted similarly.

>

> G

>

> , sankara menon <kochu1tz@>

> wrote:

> >

> > interesting!! You foret that " The Hindu " is a rabid anti-hindu left

> leaning daily. Hussain had specifically stated that he paints in teh

> nude anything he hates. all his Muslim themes are FULLY clothed whereas

> ALL his Hindu themes are fully nude.

> > He became a painter after he started a liaison with Indira Gandhi.

> >

>

>

> Need Mail bonding?

> Go to the Mail Q & A for great tips from Answers users.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just thought of something, albiet in a somewhat lighter vein.

 

Oldest living religion (Hinduism) has faced and conquered several

invasions.

 

Paraphrasing Upendra's quote on the photos of the " nasty " lot of this

group's moderators, " 50% of the moderators are from " outside " of

India. " Meaning, non-native Indians/Hindus. Extending this

observation further, divulging a lesser known fact, none of the

moderators currently reside in India. Does this make this group " a

foreign controlled, 5 star hotel meeting, non-rupee oriented,

elitist " concoction? " ;-)

 

Thus, any such invasion (this term used particularly for the drama it

indicates rather than alluding that DB, Nora, and other non-Hindu

members are invaders) is bound to have both positive and negative

effects (as in someone degrading the religion and cultures) on the

culture and the religion.

 

If we are saying that one man had insulted hinduism with his " child-

like scribbles " aren't we acknowledging the fact that he is greater

than or at least equal to the subject he is dealing with, namely,

hinduism?

 

Yes, he had damaged hinduism, by offering fodder for neo-hindu

fundamentalists to attack what they deem to be good

election/political gimmick. By which action these groups are now

starting to exhibit a neo-taliban like stupid behavior in trying to

control lives of people - like burning valentine's day cards and

roses etc, telling women who cover their heads with dhupatta that it

is islamic and they should not do it - in general complete

intolerance to anything they deem and concoct as non-hindu behavior.

 

Personally, I am more worried about the idiots among my religion

(hinduism) rather than one individual whose talents may or may not be

genius (depending on one's own perspective).

 

My belief is that M. F. husain is being persecuted and your belief is

he is being prosecuted.

 

I agree to disagree and let the matter rest status quo.

 

, " kochu1tz " <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> i can write a line by line word for word reply to this editorial.

> This red fellow traveller has done IMHO a lot of harm to National

> polity and National defence by his articles and op-eds. Because he

> inherited a National News paper that was respected a lot he feels

he

> can carry on his agenda based on a now defunct political

philosophy.

> I cannot off hand mention specific examples as this is an opinion

> built up over a long time.

> Just because politicians are raping India, it does not mean that

> people can attack and hurt the sentiments of religions other than

> one's own.

>

> Why is it that this so called " artist " does not paint matters of

his

> own religion? Or is it that " artistic freedom " is limited to

> attacking the oldest living religion in the world and not the

> militant ones?? This is crass commercialism and riding piggy back

> on " secularism " which now means attacking Hinduism alone.

>

> If he paints ANYTHING derogatory to Islam, he will have n place to

> run to!! And all this story of " fear of life " is a lot of hogwash

> intended to further the propaganda of the " secularists " aka Hindu

> haters.

>

> I have put my comments to the op-ed in caps in brackets.

[Guest guest]

A correction: Not all of moderators are outside India. My apologies for

my ignorance.