HJS Protests At Christie's On Auction of Husain's Painting
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Ms. Bhavna Shinde of HJS talks to the Press outside Christie's |
New York (USA) - Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) in association with Indian American Intellectuals Forum (IAIF) held a demonstration outside Christie's Art Gallery in New York on Phalgun Shuddha Chaturdashi (20th March) from 10 am to 12 pm during the auction of MF Husain's painting here. Most of the protestors came from different states near and far from New York.
Prior to the protest, HJS had written to Christie's demanding that they withdraw Husain's Painting from the auction; a demand Christie's ignored.
The protest began with the recitation of 'Vakratunda Mahakaya' shlok and prayers for removal of obstacles from the protest. It concluded with the
'Sarvetra sukhinah santu' shlok. Protestors wore placards protest-ing the denigration of Hindu Deities in MF Husain's paintings and his promotion by Christie's.
The silent protest was soon filled with vigorous shouting of slogans such as, "MF Husain
- shame, shame!", "Down with Christie's", "Boycott Christie's", "Fugitive, MF Husain",
"Stop discrimination against Hinduism", "Christie's - shame, shame!" Within a few minutes of the commencement of the protest, press reporters from India Abroad, Rediff, BBC, NDTV, TV Asia etc. came on the scene. They interviewed IAIF President Mr. Narain Kataria, HJS
Spokes-person Ms. Bhavna Shinde and the alert Hindus, participating in the protest.
Some of the questions asked by the press were, "What about freedom of expression for the artist?",
"Isn't nudity a part of Hindu culture/sculptures?", "Isn't vulgarity in the eye of the beholder?" etc. The protestors clarified misconceptions by explaining that they are all for freedom of expression, but denigration through art, such as MF Husain's paintings is an abuse of that freedom, that there is a difference between nudity and vulgarity, and that nudity in Hindu sculptures is not related to Hindu Deities. The protestors asked in response,
"If Husain is so sure of his innocence, why does he not face court proceedings in Bharat
- a democratic country - to clear his name? The fact that Husain is a fugitive from Bharatiya Law itself proves his guilt!"
Flyers clarifying misconcept-ions related to nudity in sculptures in Bharat and related to so called parallels between Khajuraho temple art and Husain's paintings were handed out. One of the protestors, Ms. Gandhi made it a point to tell every person approaching the Art Gallery about MF Husain's denigrating paintings, urging them to boycott Christie's for aiding and abetting this denigration. She also approached the Police officers posted there. They paid attention to what Ms. Gandhi had to say. They read the flyers and told Ms. Gandhi that they encourage and support the protest.
- Ms. Bhavna Shinde.
Experiencing gratitude and Kshatravritti during protest
I could experience what it is like to be a Hindutvavadi! Every sadhak, sajjan and sattvik person present in the protest was hurt by the insane act of MF Husain, who is really a shame as referred to!
Felt very peaceful within that I could do something to protect our Hindu Dharma. Truly, this
Dharma-seva was a satsang in it self! - Ms. Janvi Gandhi, NJ, USA.
Leg trembling uncontrollably and rapid loss of vital energy during protest
Within a few moments of the protest commencing at the Gallery, my left leg started to tremble violently, making it impossible to stand. However, when I looked at the leg, there was no movement in the gross. This showed that the uncontrollable movement was occurring in the subtle. I was also getting drained of vital energy rapidly. Yet, I was able to remain calm and focussed on the seva. This made us realise how much Sri Gurudev (H.H. Dr. Athavale) takes care of us when we focus on
Dharma-seva. - Ms. Bhavna Shinde, Reston, USA.
(Please see photos of the protest at: http://picasaweb.google.com/somnath.paramshetti/MFHusainProtest02 )
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
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