MF Husain’s Painting Auction Gets Bombay HC Nod; Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Demands Ban, Citing ‘Anti-National’ Art

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has demanded a ban on the auction of MF Husain’s paintings that is scheduled on June 12 at the Pundole Art Gallery in Mumbai. Recalling the painter’s controversial past, it has warned of strong public agitation if the auction is carried out.

The Free Press Journal had reported on June 3 that the 25 rare MF Husain paintings worth Rs25 crore to be auctioned, pursuant to Bombay High Court’s order in February this year after a long legal battle. The auction titled, ‘M F Husain: An Artist’s Vision of the XX Century’, includes 25 canvases painted as part of Husain’s Our Planet Called Earth (OPCE) series, and will be held through Pundole Art Gallery at the Hamilton House in Ballard Estate.

After the auction notice was issued, right-wing Hindu organisation Hindu Janajagruti Samiti wrote to Maharashtra’s chief minister, union home minister, Mumbai police commissioner and the district collector demanding an immediate ban on the auction. The organisation alleged that Husain has been a controversial artist who drew a “vulgar, perverse, obscene, and nude painting insulting Bharat Mata.” It warned of strong public agitation if the demands are not heard and necessary action is not taken.

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The memorandum stated Husain’s painting titled ‘Rape of Mother India’ during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, calling it a severe act of sedition. It also mentioned some of his other controversial works including “nude portrayal of Sita Mata sitting on Hanuman’s tail, Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman shown nude together, Lord Ganesh seated in the lap of a nude woman, and Hanuman flying with a nude woman in his hand.” It also alleged that Husain deliberately painted vulgar and obscene images of other Hindu goddesses, thereby hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community.

The organisation stated that, “Holding an auction of these 25 paintings is tantamount to indirectly supporting his previous anti-national and anti-social acts. Glorifying such individuals under the guise of artistic freedom is unacceptable. The Patiala House Court in Delhi has recently ordered the seizure of Husain’s controversial paintings, and an investigation is underway. Previously, several of his exhibitions were cancelled across India, and awards in his name were revoked.”

While the auction was announced following the Bombay High Court’s order, Hidu Janajagruti Samiti demanded that legal action should be taken against individuals, organisations and galleries involved in displaying or selling such works. “The dissemination of artwork that insults national or religious sentiments must be prohibited. Additionally, the insulting painting of Bharat Mata should be officially declared as anti-national and destroyed,” said a spokesperson of the Samiti.