Protest at Asia House Gallery's exhibition of MF Husain's offensive paintings

The Asia House Gallery in London is currently hosting an exhibition by the controversial Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain. Husain has become infamous over the years for his offensive erotic paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual poses which have caused outrage to Hindus around the world. The Hindu Human Rights (HHR) also finds it extremely distasteful that Asia House Gallery have used Husain'sexplicit images of Goddess Durga to whom Hindus regard as their Mother) in their flyer to advertise the exhibition which includes this and other offensive images.

An appeal from HHR

At this point HHR wishes to reiterate that as Hindus we are certainly not anti-Art and do not believe in blanket censorship of all Hindu imagery. Indeed, as we have said time and again, we are against the abuse of Hindu images done in an offensive way and for commercial gain and sensationalism with complete disregard for the feelings of Hindu Society. While Asia House'sadvertising pamphlet claims that Husain draws ?upon traditional and western artistic conventions, myths and history?, we should note that he only sees fit to use Hindu sacred images for sexual poses but his artist licence conveniently expires when it comes to other religions. This seems blatant double-standards with Hindus once again as the victims.

Despite the fact that Hindu Human Rights have organised many successful awareness campaigns and protests against the inappropriate use (or misuse) of sacred Hindu imagery, it is a great shame that Asia House Gallery and companies such as Hitachi (their sponsors) continue to abuse Hindus and Hinduism in a such a manner. The lack of consultation with the very large Hindu community here in the UK shows at best a blissful ignorance at the feelings and sentiments of Hindus or worse a wilful disregard. As we have said time and again, it is this degrading and defamation of Hindu culture which provides the atmosphere for the ongoing abuses and persecution of Hindus across the world and particularly in Husain'shomeland of India and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

(HHR, PO Box 44814, London SE18 1YT www.hinduhumanrights.org, info@hinduhumanrights.org.uk)