Husain’s paintings removed from India Art Summit

NEW DELHI - Art lovers who hoped to catch M.F. Husain’s paintings at the India Art Summit here have disappointment in store, with the organisers Friday saying they had received at least 20 e-mails warning against displaying the works of the artist who lives in self-imposed exile.

“Vandals may come in and there could be a stampede because we have received around 20 odd e-mails from various groups from Bombay and Pune,” the organisers told media. The art summit is being held Jan 21-23.

The painter has been living in exile for the last five years and has even been conferred Qatari citizenship following threats from Hindu rightwing extremists who claim his paintings offend the community’s sentiments.

Organisers said around 20 e-mails were received threatening the exhibition if the paintings continue to be displayed.

According to the spectators at a preview, three of Hussain’s works were already up for display for most of Thursday, but were removed sometime in the evening, a day before summit began.

Rightwing extremists have previously vandalised painting exhibitions displaying Husain’s works, accusing him of insulting Hindu goddesses through his paintings.