PRESS NOTE – M.F. Husain’s paitings on Auction in Saffron Art Gallery

Mumbai � An auction has been organized by Saffron Art Gallery on 10th and 11th of May 2006 in Mumbai where paintings by various artists will be kept on exhibit. Among these paintings, even paintings by Husain have also been kept for auction. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has expressed its intense opposition. The Samiti has lodged a police complaint in this regard. But no action has been taken so far and therefore, the Samiti will hold demonstrations in front of the Saffron Art Gallery at Prabhadevi, Mumbai on 10th and 11th May.
Hussain has insulted this nation and Hindu religion by drawing nude and obscene paintings of ‘Mother-India’ and the Hindu deities. The Samiti has initiated a strong agitation against this issue for the past 6 months. The agitation has been carried on in different ways like lodging more than 1250 police complaints, representations to Hon. President and Government, demonstrations, burning effigy of Hussain. Spontaneous bandhs were held in many cities in state. In its verdict passed in the year 2004, The Delhi High Court clearly mentioned that Hussain’s paintings hurt the feelings of Hindus and shock the harmony in society. Even then holding exhibitions of paintings of such perverted artist and promoting sale of his paintings is like giving encouragement and is an offense. Shri Ramesh Shinde, the State Spokesperson of the Samiti has warned that the Samiti will actively oppose whoever is of assistance to Hussain.
After incessant fight of the Samiti for past 6 months, at last in the last week, the Central Government has shown signs of awakening and directed Delhi and Mumbai police to initiate action against Hussain regarding his Bharatmata painting. This order is the result of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s peaceful and continuous fight against paintings by Hussain. The Samiti has fought this campaign against Hussain in a very peaceful manner without indulging in violence of any kind. This campaign started by the Samiti has received a favourable response from all over the world and even in USA, demonstrations were held in front of the Southby’s Art Gallery keeping Hussain’s paintings for auction. The Samiti had registered its protest even with the Christian Art Gallery in Singapore.
The Samiti appeals to all the people, connoisseurs of art and art galleries to boycott paintings by M F Hussain.
Venue for Demonstrations : In front of Saffron Art Gallery, Industry Manor, Prabhadevi, Mumbai � 25.
Time : 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.