Indian Sawaal-My India, My Views

Do you support m f hussain is what I was asked by a reader of this website. He added that most of my post reflect that I am liberal thinker , prime supporter of constitution and constantly questioning social system.

Well Yes I am prime supporter of Indian Constitution which I believe is one of best things that happened to India. Yes I am liberal thiker and I question what I think is wrong in social system.

Coming to M F Hussain.I do believe that threats to his life is wrong and no body has right to threaten anyone. If anyone has problem with anything he/she must approach constitutional bodies for it and taking law in one’s own hand is not acceptable.

Having said that I also belief that freedom of expression comes with rider and that rider means responsibilty. Responsibilty towards fellow human being, the country and the society in general.

Let us analyze M F Hussain controversy. The ace painter painted nude paintings of goddess saraswati , goddess laxmi , lord hanuman and sitaji.  This he did in late 70s but controversy erupted in 1996.

Now those who dont belong to hinduism faith , for them all above mentioned gods are simply characters and seeing them nude wont effect them much since they are not emotionally attached to them. Like a cartoon of muhammad peigambar fumed muslims but those who dont believe in Islam , it didnt effect them . So such cartoons or paintings dont effect people who dont believe in concerned figures since they are not emotionally attached to them which is understandable.

But for those who believe in hinduism for them these figures are gods and seeing them nude does effect them emotionally and reactions are understandable.

Now M F Hussain has freedom of expression right reserved by constitution , in same way citizens of India who felt that their sentiments were hurt have right to express that (not in violent way , though).

Coming to question of do you support M F Hussain?. Answer is I dont support his paintings. Freedom of expression doesnot give license to hurt sentiments of people at large. I cannot use my freedom of expression and write things which may disturb harmony, bring people to streets and endanger property and lives. I can’t use my freedom of expression to attack other’s sentiments and faith. I cannot do that. Being human being I must respect sentiments of others. Thats fundamental.

Yes if M F Hussain paints something questioning dowry , martial rape , caste and uses nudity in that , I am absolutely fine with it but painting characters which are part of psychic of so many hindus who worship these characters and expecting them of not feeling hurt in return is asking for impossible.

When muhammad peigambar’s cartoon were published , somebody asked me why the hell these people are reacting in that fashion. It’s just a cartoon. Yes it was just a cartoon for all those who dont believe in ISLAM but for those who did it was not just a cartoon . They felt hurt and reacted in way they knew.

Freedom of expression v/s sentiments of people needs balance. What’s use of art which cannot honor people sentiment and what’s use of such community which cannot give freedom to artist. Both need to maintain balance in their respective way.

Qatar has nothing to do with Hinduism and so can give citizenship to M F Hussain but same qatar respecting its citizen’s emotion might arrest a person who paints muhmaad in way which M F did to hindu gods.

Artists say that since they are artist and they need freedom to continue their work , which is fair point but at same time who supports this artists?. The people. People support them and so artist must understand that factor too.