Prosecute Hussain:BJP

 Feb 08

The BJP today demanded that the Painter, M F Hussain should be arrested immediately and prosecuted for “creating disaffection” among the communities by his alleged depiction of Hindu deities in the nude which is an insult to the nation.

The Party General Secretary, Mr Vinay Katiyar, said “Being a good Muslim. Hussain should know the worldwide reaction over caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a Danish newspaper. He too should refrain from repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Hindus.” 
Hussain has “created disaffection among religious communities and therefore he should be put behind the bars and prosecuted,” he said. “Otherwise, we will be forced to protest in our own way,” he added. 

The Painter has, however, apologized for his controversial depiction of Bharat Mata following angry protests by Hindu organizations. The painting has been withdrawn from an auction that was to be held in Delhi today. 

Meanwhile, in Mumbai the Janagruti Samiti said that it would continue its protest in many places in the country against the painting of Hussain which has allegedly hurt the sentiments of the people.

“Hussain has drawn several objectionable paintings of Hindu deities about which he has not said a word. He has been selling the objectionable naked pictures of Hindu deities over years,” the spokesman of the Samiti, Ramesh Shinde, has said in a press release.

“About the picture of ‘Bharatmata’ (which depicts the country as mother), one should understand that it is not the question of someone’s feelings getting hurt but it is a question of national pride. Therefore, “Hussain should be punished accordingly as it should be noted that it is not the question of feelings of Hindus alone,” he said.