05-15-2006, 10:14 PM
Came through email:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->HHR Press Release, 15 May 2006
Protest to the Asia House Galleryâs exhibition of MF Husainâs offensive paintings
It has come to our attention that 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. We also find it extremely distasteful that Asia House Gallery have used Husainâs explicit images of Goddess Durga (who many Hindus regard as their Mother) in their flyer to advertise the exhibition which includes this and other offensive images.
At this point we wish 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 especially when done in an offensive way and for commercial gain and sensationalism with complete disregard for the feelings of Hindu Society. While Asia Houseâs advertising pamphlet claims that Husain draws âupon traditional and western artistic conventions, myths and historyâ, 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. To us, 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 Husainâs homeland of India and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is for these reasons that we invite all Hindus and non-Hindus concerned about the growing culture of Hindu-bashing in the corporate and commercial world to join us outside the Asia House Gallery, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1 to voice our protest at 3pm on Saturday 27 May 2006 (nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Bond Street, Central Line). We thank you for your support.
Hindu Human Rights,
Serving Hindus Worldwide<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Anyone in London should attend the protest.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->HHR Press Release, 15 May 2006
Protest to the Asia House Galleryâs exhibition of MF Husainâs offensive paintings
It has come to our attention that 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. We also find it extremely distasteful that Asia House Gallery have used Husainâs explicit images of Goddess Durga (who many Hindus regard as their Mother) in their flyer to advertise the exhibition which includes this and other offensive images.
At this point we wish 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 especially when done in an offensive way and for commercial gain and sensationalism with complete disregard for the feelings of Hindu Society. While Asia Houseâs advertising pamphlet claims that Husain draws âupon traditional and western artistic conventions, myths and historyâ, 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. To us, 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 Husainâs homeland of India and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is for these reasons that we invite all Hindus and non-Hindus concerned about the growing culture of Hindu-bashing in the corporate and commercial world to join us outside the Asia House Gallery, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1 to voice our protest at 3pm on Saturday 27 May 2006 (nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Bond Street, Central Line). We thank you for your support.
Hindu Human Rights,
Serving Hindus Worldwide<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Anyone in London should attend the protest.