‘Society’ magazine publicizes HJS success against Husain

‘SOCIETY’ magazine publicizes HJS success against Husain in its December 2007 issue. We are publishing the whole article as it is for HJS website readers.

MF Husain stirs up a storm again

– By Manjari Bhatnagar

The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti once again succeeded in their campaign against India’s most famous painter Maqbool Fida Husain. The Husain-Parmeshwar Godrej created jte six corore worth painting was withdrawn from the Khushii auction recently on ‘aggressive requests’ from the Samiti. Here’s what happened behind the curtains and why the Samiti remains unapologetic about its stand against Husain.

MF Husain and Parmeshwar Godrej painting for ‘Khushii’

Not many in the well-heeled and stinking rich crowd could have afforded to buy his works but when the withdrawal of MF Husain’s painting from Khushii’s marathon auction at the Turf Club was announced late October in Mumbai, the reaction was of utter shock. This painting, in collaboration with Parmeshwar Godrej, was to be auctioned off along with 134 other works of eminent artists and celebrities. In hushed whispers, conversations at the white dominated interiors of the venue ranged from why the painting was withdrawn to who was responsible for stalling its auction. There was a buzz about a religious outfit issuing threats of creating rampage if the Husain painting was put up for auction.

There can’t obviously be any smoke without fire and the fire in fact was raging. There indeed was a great deal of opposition from the HinduJanjagrutiSamiti has opposed for quite some time, the open sale or auction of the legendary painter’s works. A source from Khushii, the NGO and beneficiary of the proceeds from the marathon art auction reveals, "The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti did not threaten us but aggressively requested us to withdraw the Husain painting. Certain patrons and officials of Khushii took a diplomatic stand as they didn’t want to jeopardise the remaining 134 paintings. So they agreed to take the safe way."

According to another section of Khushii members, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti-was so adamant on its stand that they even came to the preview, three days before the auction to check if the painting was a part of the auction or not. Ramesh Shinde, spokesman of the Samiti, admits this. "Yes, some of our men did go there. We have been actively campaigning against Husain because Husain is taking advantage of Hindu tolerance. If he had done similar paintings of Muslim gods, a series of fat-was would have been issued against him. Clause 295 A pertains to hurting religious sentiments and it’s definitely -a crime. However, though a case can be filed in relation to this clause, action can be taken only if the state government or a first class magistrate gives permission to prosecute the person. In Husain’s case, this approval is pending. There are some 1250 complaints filed against him across the country. Cases were filed against him in Haridwar, Indore, Pandharpur and Mumbai. All these cases have since been transferred to Delhi. He asked for the cases to be transferred to Delhi because he said he fears for his life."

Shinde then adds in the same tone, "Let me tell you, we have never taken the law in our hands. Wherever there’s been an exhibition of any of his works, we’ve politely requested the organisers to remove Husain’s works and they generally consent. For instance, a couple of months back, Mumbai’s Tao Art Gallery had organised a group exhibition and Husain’s painting was to be a part of it. We spoke to the person concerned and they immediately agreed to withdraw Husain’s work. Whatever we are doing is through the legal process or through negotiations," he says, adding, "When no action was taken for a long time, we filed a PIL in the Mumbai High Court a year back. A senior police inspector, Ramesh Mahale, was appointed and we followed up. The court wanted a report on the action taken but nothing happened. It all rests on when we get the pending permission." Agrees Nisha JamVwal, the backbone of Khushii’s Mumbai chapter. "When we were asked to remove the work there were no threats or anger. There was a plea," she says.

According to sources, none other than the Shiv Sena supre¬mo was brought into the picture to help calm matters. A member of the Khushii team says, "We approached Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray for intervention. His personal attention to this problem saved us from a lot of trouble." Shinde agrees. "Yes, I think the Khushii officials spoke with Thackeray because his office had called to check with us. We told them about our issue with MF Husain and his paintings. They got back saying that the painting will not be auctioned," he says.

Shinde says that Khushii needed to be convinced slightly to withdraw the painting. "Initially, Khushii was reluctant to pay heed to our request. They tried to convince us by saying that this particular painting was not objectionable. This argument was immaterial as we are opposing a person who has depicted Bharat Mata and Hindu gods and goddesses in a degrading manner. We explained to Khushii that our request is in goodwill and that we are not objecting to their cause. So what if one painting is not there? Finally they gave us a letter saying the Husain-Parmeshwar painting had been withdrawn. In exchange they wanted us to give a letter saying that we will not oppose the auction if they withdraw the painting. This, we did," he informs about how the matter was eventually resolved.

Khushii patron Nisha JamVwal who had requested Parmeshwar Godrej to paint with MF Husain for the noble cause informs, "Parmeshwar agreed to paint with Husain instantly because it was for street children. She even flew down all the way to London where the iconic painter is biding time till he can return to India." Adds another source, "The painting was undoubtedly in great demand and expected to fetch about Rs six crore. Unfortunately, it could not be auctioned in spite of people ready to shell out an obscene amount. Parmeshwar was very upset with the turn of events but she understood the delicacy of the situation. She was ‘ extremely supportive."

Ramesh further asks, "In spite of knowing that he has hurt public sentiments, Husain continues to do so. What is the sense in still keeping the pictures of the controversial paintings on his website and asking public opinion on whether the paintings really are obscene? Husain should have been more responsible. No freedom comes without responsibility. Just because I have the freedom, it doesn’t mean that I can roam around without clothes. There are certain norms to be followed."

Nisha, an art consultant herself, is in absolute agreement with Shinde. "Freedom is indeed a fundamental right but it comes with the responsibility to consider the sentiments of the people of our country. We have many communities in India. To live in harmony with everyone and take into consideration their religious beliefs becomes imperative. When you know you are hurting your countrymen, and in spite of that, you do it all over again knowingly, then you must anticipate the reaction," she says.

Shinde also feels that Husain should return to India and face prosecution. "Unfortunately no political party has opposed him till now and he’s still living in absolute luxury even if it’s outside his country. Husain shuttles between continents, painting and selling off his works to his admirers. People like Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar meet him abroad when they travel. It’s not as if Husain is living in penury or in troubled situations and circumstances because of the cases filed against him in India. He’s living a luxurious life no doubt," says Shinde, adding some logi¬cal questions, "Why doesn’t Husain make such paintings of his religious leaders? Can’t Husain work on any other subject barring this one? Of course, he can; there are lakhs of subjects if you even look around yourself. But Husain doesn’t seem to notice anything beyond what he chooses to do and create a furore."

Ramesh takes this opportunity to quell myths about him and his organisation. He says, "We are not against Muslims as is being perceived. We would have opposed Husain even if he had done this to Muslim leaders. As per law it’s a crime to hurt religious sentiments. We don’t spare Hindus too. Recently, artist Prakash Sharma drew Hanuman on a Nigerian lady’s back. We opposed vehemently and it was withdrawn. Also, we wish people did not support him by buying’his controversial works. A case was filed against Nafisa Ali in Delhi on the Rs 80 lakh worth nude Bharat Mata painting. Why do such works? There’s so much more to work upon."

Meanwhile, in spite of a record-breaking auction of paintings, Khushi can be still richer. Around 10 paintings including that of Farhan Akhtar, Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, Amjad Ali Khan, Ekta Kapoor, Milind Deora, Twinkle Khanna and Ramola Bachchan remain unsold and Khushii is now planning a silent auction to sell them off. A source from Khushii informs, "The Husain-Parmeshwar painting will be included in the silent auction and we expect it to fetch Rs six crore minimum." Shinde reacts, "We can’t do anything about the painting being sold at a silent auction but we really wish some action is taken to stop the Hindu religious sentiments being hurt."

Well, the Husain-Parmeshwar creation may fetch that mind-boggling amount for sure but one wonders when Husain will stop getting embroiled in controversies.

Related HJS section

> M.F. Husain