CONTROVERSY AND M F HUSSAIN

The controversy regarding the acceptance of citizenship of Qatar by M F Hussein, a noted painter of India, was very much in news recently. First, the controversy aroused out when he made the naked paintings of Hindu’s goddess in 1970 came into lime light in 1995 and he forced himself to self exiled as more than 900 cases are registered in different courts across the country for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. The controversy again aroused out as he accepted the Qatar nationality and Indian government couldn’t do anything to protect such a notable painter. He earned a precarious living as an artist. The government also kept their silence over this.

Concerning all the matter, there are two ways to see this whole issue. First, I ask what would have been the fate of such artists if he had born in the county like Saudi Arabia, or any other gulf countries. What happened to Salman Rushdie, a world class author, for his novel, the satanic verses, and a people from a country declared the fatwa against him. He had to hide all those years and that novel caused lives of 37 people across the whole world. If talk about this, then nothing much happened to M F Hussein. I accept that everyone has freedom of expression. Nevertheless, they should also know that freedom is okay till you are not violating the freedom of others. I apply same to M F Hussein. As an artist, he is free to paint anything but he cannot hurt the sentiments of other’s. I must say, he never showed his love for his own religion.

Second, If we talk about his paintings. According to me, as an artist he has every right to paint whatever he wants to paint. I asked what he did wrong by painting the naked portrait of Hindu goddess. He is an artist and this is his way to earn a bread and roti. In fact, India claims to be democratic country ready to absorb the very idea. Then what happened now? The whole controversy aroused out because he does belong to some other religion. According to me, he painted what our country is showing from centuries. If I talk about the others religions, there is no such scriptures, no monuments which shows any exotic paintings, exotic descriptions of their god. However, in India, there are lots of temples, like Khajuraho, and many others in the south India, which has the naked paintings sculptures on their wall. He painted what India was in their ancient times. He revealed the ancient heritage the India through his art, i.e. is paintings. Religion and creative freedom are once again on a collision course!

After looking on these points, I must say that his paintings in his own frame of reference were correct but he hasn’t any right to hurt the sentiments of Hindu’s. Even he didn’t apologize for this. He said that he feels precarious while in India. This is a shame for the government that he is unable to protect the heritage of country. But what I must say that He should apologize for this publicly.

TIME TO STOP THIS HOOLIGANISM

We are learning from our childhood that india is the the land of diversity, and we proud of its ‘diversity in unity ’ and India is the largest democratic country in this world. Has this phrase lost its value now a days? These phrases, in my opinion, have lost its sheen and mere for a general knowledge.

Our country has world’s largest democracy and democracy means, in the opinion of Abraham Inchon , 'of the people, by the people and for the people.’ But recent incidence of cynic activity by few people is proving this wrong. Has india changed the meaning of democracy or democracy has lost its meaning? Answers, none know. If we consider the original meaning of democracy, it means anybody has rights to speak, to live throughout the country. Then, what is this shameful act going on by shiv sainiks ? Who are they to stop people living in Mumbai? Some say they are working for the welfare for Mumabikar. If so, where were they at the time of condemnable attack on taj when fear could be easily seen in the people’s eyes? Considering this reference, sena’s bangles rattle still echoing in my ears. If the cause of shiv sainiks are really so important, then they should have been the government of maharastra, feeding to hungry and providing job to the unemployed. But in this case, their heart beats don’t seem as aggressively.

Weak people are always get targeted. And exactly the same sena is doing. They are targeting the people from north india, blaming they are cutting their jobs. If so, does it mean that marathis can not compete for their jobs? Mumbai was not built in a day. It was built by Indian ,by their hard work and what we see it today and meant to live up by all Indian.

When SRK came forward and made a statement ‘ Mumbai for all’. Sena slammed this and declared him a traitor, and their declaration, was illogical ‘ everyone should do their own work rather than commenting on everything’ implying SRK should keep acting instead speaking on these issue. What a joke? They have right to say anything but others have not rights to say a thing. Oh god, nothing can be more illogical than this. Unbelievable.

Such remarks are really shameful. It very sad that despite seeing that someone has taken a brave stance and decided to stand up to hooliganism, no one was ready to speak in his favour! It is sad to see that few people are grabbing the power , which belongs to intellectuals and state also.

I want to challenge the very concept of Bombay belonging to Marathi manoos – not just from the perspective of India being a democracy and, but even from the perspective of history. Bombay, till 1960, combined Gujarat and Maharashtra till the two states were separated. What then came to be known as Bombay – that is, today’s Mumbai – was built literally by the Gujaratis and the Parsis, with the Marathi manoos playing a much lesser role. Mumbai means ‘ the city of dream’ and everyone has right to come and chase their dream.

It is time to stand up against this to end hooliganism. It is shameful to see that a few people are deciding the fate of Mumbai, the backbone of Indian industry, run by fifty percent non marathis.

The time has come to make Mumbai union territory instead of dividing the city on the basis of language and regionalism. The time has come for Mumbai to acquire the shape of their own character, free from these nonsense reasons. The character , where every Indian is safe and could go to fulfil their dreams.

It is time for marathis to come up and show their love and affections that they get from every Indian, just for the sake for india and its democracy. Applause to Sachin and Lataji. A few can not decide the fate of Mumbai. It belongs to us, belongs to all INDIAN.