Protest demo staged at art gallery against Hussain’s paintings – PTI

Protest demo staged at art gallery against Hussain’s paintings MUMBAI, MAY 10 (PTI)
Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) today held demonstrations at Saffron Art Gallery against the "objectionable" paintings of nude dieties by noted artist M F Hussain but the artist justified saying "nudity is form of innocence and maturity." Hussain’s paintings had hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community, Maharashtra spokesman of HJS, Ramesh Shinde said here.
Despite the Union Government’s directive last week to Mumbai police to take appropriate action against Hussain for his objectionable paintings, nothing had been done, he said.
The HJS volunteers staged a silent demonstration holding placards and banners protesting against the paintings of Hussain.
The Saffron Art Gallery, located at Prabhadevi in central Mumbai, is holding an online auction of Hussain’s paintings today and tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Hussain, in an E-mail from abroad, said "nudity is not nakedness, it is a form of innocence and maturity".
"We Indians are proud to create a civilisation of art and culture, enshrined in the sanctity of Ajanta and Ellora caves and temples for the last 5000 years. There the images of gods and goddesses are pure and uncovered. Here the nudity is not nakedness, it is a form of innocence and maturity. Take the monumental form of Mahavira and the carvings of Khajuraho, they evoke spirituality".