Husain Art Summit vandalised Devesh K. Pandey

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082555791300.htm

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

The scene after miscreants went on the rampage at an exhibition of painting works by M.F. Husain in New Delhi on Sunday. NEW DELHI: Activists claming to be members of a little known outfit called the “Shri Ram Sena” vandalised an exhibition showcasing the printed works of noted painter M.F. Husain at Vithal Bhai Patel House here on Sunday. The exhibition was organised by SAHMAT as a symbolic protest against exclusion of the artist’s works at the India Art Summit at Pragati Maidan.

It all happened around 3.30 p.m. when two SAHMAT members were viewing a film by Husain on television at the venue. “I saw some 10 people coming towards the pandal. Taking them to be visitors and thinking that they might need help, I just got up from the chair. Suddenly they began lifting chairs and throwing them around,” said Anil Chandra, who has been associated with SAHMAT for about two decades.

9 frames damaged Mr. Chandra said the men smashed the frames of the prints and photographs of Husain’s works and overturned the television set. In all, nine frames were damaged. “Personnel of a television channel who accompanied them to the pandal recorded the entire act. The attackers can be identified from the footage,” he said, adding that they raised anti-Husain slogans and threw pamphlets issuing threats.

Another SAHMAT member, Santosh Sharma, said: “They did not attack us. Before help could arrive, they ran away like cowards.”

‘No security’ Stating that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) had been informed about the exhibition on August 20, Ram Rahman of SAHMAT said no security was provided. “The exhibition will be remounted on Monday and we dare them to attack again,” said Mr. Rahman. Another SAHMAT member blamed the attack on communal forces that wanted to divide the country.

*  That, “The exhibition was organised by SAHMAT as a symbolic protest against exclusion of the artist’s works at the India Art Summit at Pragati Maidan" proves that Hussain has been placed in that level by the authorities of the “Indian Art Summit".

* “In all, nine frames were damaged“.This you can compare with what happened at Lalit Kala Academy, Chennai some months back, when paintings and pictures were displayed there describing the iconoclastic activities of Aurangazeb. At that time, the Chennai Police themselves removed, perhaps ransacked and destroyed the panels.

* “They did not attack us. Before help could arrive, they ran away like cowards.”Here, there are two points -

1. Theses fellows (who support Hussain) are determined to create problem and they want others to attack them so that the issue could be diverted differently.

2. Actually, the coward has been the “fugitive" Hussain himself. Just like other criminals and law offenders e.g, Dawood Ibrahim, Quotrochi etc., he has to taken shelter in Dubai. Why not ask him to return to India and face the charges in Indian Courts, where cases are pending.

3, Arrest warrants issued have been pending, as he has flown out of India.

4. In fact, if India wants, legally, he can be extradited and action could be taken.

* “Ram Rahman of SAHMAT said no security was provided“.As pointed out, these so-called SAHMAT-masqurades want violence. If nothing is there, they want to create. Thus his intention is clear. Just note his name “RAM RAHMAN", but he does not foster anyrhing unity or amity between Hindus and Muslims, by supporting Hussain and opposing Taslima Nasrin, by displaying naked Hindu Gods and Goddesses etc.

* “Another SAHMAT member blamed the attack on communal forces that wanted to divide the country“.Definitely, he must have been tutored and trained by Karunanidhi to talk like this. He can be deputed to the UJC for negotiations to solve the Kashmir problem!

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