Date:28/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/28/stories/2006032819611000.htm

National

Support for Husain

Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI: A group of 33 artists, writers, film-makers, art enthusiasts and academicians on Monday expressed concern at the filing of cases recently against artist M.F. Husain for allegedly "offending Hindu sentiments" with his nude painting, "Mother India."

Pointing out that they did not want to comment on the specific cases filed in courts, they said Mr. Husain'spaintings represented the "multicultural and multireligious mosaic of our identity." To accuse such an artist of religious insensitivity or disrespect for Bharat Mata was an example of "not only ignorance but perhaps of mischief," they said in a statement.

"Such mischievous acts can arise only out of a narrow-mindedness which is completely contrary to the tolerance and breadth of Indian culture."