DharaShiv : Representative statue of Hussain Burned down. Participant Organisations were Chava Sanghatana, Shiv Sena, Swaswaroop Sampradaay and The Maratha Mahasangh. Thousands were present to witness the burning down of the modern-day Mahmood Gazni. Shouts of "Sanatan Hindu Dharm ki Jai" echoed through out DharaShiv.
Sangli : "Dharane" at Sangli organised by Hindu Janjagruti Samiti from 10 AM to 5 PM. Police complaints were filed at various police stations against the painter.
Protests were also done against the offenders of Shiv-Smarak at Solapur.
Participant Organisations were Shiv Sena, BJP, RSS and Sanatan Sanstha.
Panaji : Press conference was organised at Panaji, Goa.
"If this Hindu movement turns violent, only Government will be responsible for it", said spokesperson of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, Dr. Mrs. Nandini Samant.
A movie was shown depicting all the peaceful efforts of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti and how they had been unsuccessful to arouse the anti-Hindi Congress Government.
Speaking on behalf of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti Mrs. Samant said, "So far in the States of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra 127 Police complaints have been filed against Hussain, statues have been burned down at 13 places whereas at 6 places, rallies and road Blockage campaigns have been held. So far peaceful demonstations have failed to evoke any response or action from the Government. Therefore, if this Hindu movement now turns violent, the sole responsibility will be with the Government".
Reporters of all major newspapers like Goa times, Tarun Bharat, Navhind times and TV channels like Z news, Star news and C news were present to record this event.
Answers to some questions put forth by the Reporters
1. How do you say that these paintings are of deities ?
A : M.F. Hussain has created a whole series of such paintings dedicated to Hindu deities. One such series is titled "Hanuman". In this series one painting has been shown of "Brahmachari" Hanumaan in nude form with a nude woman lying in front of him! The painting has been titled, "Red faced Hanuman, the monkey leader. Naked beautiful woman and son of the Wind God." The introduction of this blasphemous painting says, "looking at Ravana’s Forest Garden, Hanuman thought that just like Ramayana, this garden is in fact an image of young maidens in copulation … This garden is a union of bodies … (his own disgraceful words have been inserted)"
Shyamal Bagchi, the art analyst of International repute has mentioned, "When the brave Hanuman is meditating, right in front of him are seen young nude paintings of Ram and Seeta on the canvas engaged in sexual congress right before Hanuman."
If an internationally reputed art analyst feels this way, then it is obvious that common man will feel the same, that these paintings are about Hindu deities.
2. Why dont you knock the doors of court instead of insisting on the Government to take action?
A : Hindu Janjagruti Samiti’s stand is that it is Government’s responsibility to take action against Hussain for the following reasons :
1. The Constitution has granted each individual the right to securing respect for his own Religious sentiments. M.F. Hussain has been crushing the Religious sentiments of Hindus since the last several years! Hindutvavadi organisations have been putting forth this point before the government from time to time. But the Government has so far done nothing about it. On the contratry, Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen’s books have been banned from India by the same Government even before they have arrived here. A single complaint by a muslim from Latur district against a Hindu website educating Hindus(hinduunity.org), caused the Police commissioner of Mumbai to literally cross his domain of jusrisdiction and take extraordinary initiative in closing down the website. Hindus expect the Government to show the same sensitivity and promptness in matters of Hindu Religious sentiments.
2. M.F. Hussain has not attacked the sentiments of a single person. This the question of Religious sentiments of pious Hindus which consitute the largest part of Indian society. So it is the Government’s responsibility to take action against M.F. Hussain.
3. This fight is not against the person Hussain, but against the increasing tendency to debauch and utilise deities as if they are unreal or in non-scriptural or humorous ways which are insulting to Hindu sentiments and faith. Government action against Hussain will pave the way for future prohibition of such crimes against Society and culture.
4. It is not always possible for an individual or a Religious organisation due to monetary constraints to lead a legal battle against such offenders. A small example : In the court of law, as a proof, 2 copies of books published by Hussain are required. A single copy of these books is worth Rs. 55 thousand. Common man cannot afford to purchase these books. besides due to the inefficiency of legal system, the case against Hussain, which had begun in 1996, was closed down in 2004 for technical reasons. Such a long duration fight bearing the expenses of lawyers is not affordable for any Religious Organisation. Even the Dharmaday Ayukta will not give permission to incur such expenses. On the other hand, this matter is simple for the Government to handle.
Dhule : Signature campaign against M.F. Hussain has been undertaken at Dhule. A Petition has also been submitted to Dhule Collector demanding action against Hussain. Chava Sanghatana and Shiv Sena were the active participants.
