Hounding of Husain

We are very proud of our country and our countrymen. We revere renowned artists, musicians and sportspersons, who have carved a niche of their own. With our head held high, we bask in the glory of their triumphs and take pride on the fact that that they belong to our country. But when world renowned-painter M. F. Husain was berated right, left and center over his creations depicting Hindu goddesses in nude, where was our pride?
Husain was ostracized. Self proclaimed extremist Hindu activists left no stone unturned in baseless tirades against him. In Ahmedabad, a gallery dedicated to his work was ravaged. In other parts of the country, organizations daring to exhibit his work were threatened with dire consequences. Husain faced so much anger of a certain section of people that he had to leave the country in 2006.what kind of people are we to drive away one of the finest artists of our country? We just ignored the issue and kept mum on the vital issue of artistic liberty.
There were innumerable court cases waiting to harass him. Irate mobs wanted to assault him. So finally reluctantly Husain accepted the Qatari citizenship. But many of us like his paintings and also like him as human being. We are all saddened by the turn of events. I believe artists should be given complete freedom to express themselves through their work. If some of my fellow countrymen are offended by Husain’s portrayal of nude goddesses, they can simply look away. But no one has the right to stop him from expressing himself or deny us the privilege of viewing his creative works.
As for the government, the less said the better. It never lifted a finger throughout the saddening episode. Never did it try to assuage the trampled feelings of Husain, ultimately pushing him over the edge. It could not have been an easy decision for Husain. Artists have often fled from oppressive societies to embrace liberal ones. But in Husain’s case, it seems to be the other way around. he is perhaps the only artist who has had to abandon a democratic society that values f freedom of expression and adopt an undemocratic society.
But is there any way out now? I think if Husain has decided to stay abroad, he should do so if it spares him day-to- day tension and makes him happy. But I also wish that he doesn’t turn his back to his own country for ever. Great artists like him should not give up their nationality because of such opposition. He should have fought against it.