M F Hussain's exhibition raises hackles of Bajrang Dal

NEW DELHI: An exhibition of acclaimed painter M F Hussain, whose allegedly obscene portrayal of Hindu Goddesses had invited the wrath of Sangh Parivar, ran into rough weather in the national capital on Saturday after organisers received a threat purportedly from Bajrang Dal.
    
The India International Centre, where Hussain's 'Mughal India' painting series are on dispaly, suspended the exhibition for Saturday after it received the threats from Bajrang Dal, sources said.
    
The IIC had received the Bajran Dal threat which said it has to face 'serious consequences' if the capital's high-profile cultural organisation continued to exhibit the works of the controversial artist, they said.
    
A group of youth, claiming to be members of the Hindutva outfit, went to the IIC and threatened the officials that they would have to face consequences if they continue with the hosting of this show, sources added.
    
Bajrang Dal Delhi unit president Ashok Kapur claimed the outfit's youth had gone to the venue to enquire about the exhibition and had told the exhibitors that Hussain had insulted India's culture and his works should not be displayed here.
    
A decision whether to restart the exhibition, which contains 20 paintings permanently dispalyed at Fida Museum in London, will be taken at a meeting of the IIC Directors later.
    
This is the first major exhibition of Hussain work's in Delhi after about 20 years.
    
The 92-year-old artist, described by Forbes Magazine as the 'Pablo Picasso of India', is currently in self-exile in Dubai after a series of protests against him for his depiction of Hindu Goddesses.