Frequently asked questions

We are presenting here common questions, formulated from comments and criticism that we have received to this protest campaign. Sanatan Sanstha’s viewpoint is given in answer form.

 

Difference between Sanatan Sanstha and religious fundamentalists

Question: Hindus are known for religious tolerance. What is the difference between Islamic fundamentalists and Sanatan Sanstha that is spearheading this protest against Husain’s paintings?

Answer: Religious tolerance does not mean ignoring denigration or assault on symbols of faith. Protesting and stopping such denigration, as is evident in Husain’s paintings, is not religious fundamentalism, but a basic duty of anyone who reveres the divine.

Sanatan Sanstha’s protests have always been by legitimate, peaceful means, such as this campaign, to bring about awakening against denigration in any shape or form. It is because there is a difference between Islamic fundamentalists and Sanatan Sanstha, that both Husain, who drew obscene paintings of Hindu deities, and the critics, who try to equate Sanatan Sanstha with fundamentalists, are alive today!

 

Difference between ancient Hindu sculptures as in Khajuraho and Husain’s paintings

Question: There are several nude sculptures of deities in Khajuraho and other places. Why then is there an outcry over Husain’s depictions of Deities?

Answer: At the most 15% of Khajuraho sculptures are sexual in nature. Those too, involve Gandharvas, etc., not higher deities like Goddess Durga, Lord Krishna or Lord Hanuman. The sexual sculptures of Khajuraho came into existence hundreds of years ago during the influence of the Shaktas (a sect of Hindu Dharma) on society. Worship according to the Shakta sect is based on a fivefold system, which includes sexual intercourse. Nowadays the Path of Devotion is prevalent.

Hindu Dharma does not look down on sexuality. In fact, sexual science was well developed in Hindu culture, when other civilizations were yet unaware of sexual science and etiquette.

There is consensus among several artists that the Khajuraho sculptures do not have a sickening effect, unlike Husain’s pornographic depictions of Hindu Deities. The Khajuraho sculptures were intended to represent the unity of God and the embodied, individual soul, unlike Husain’s paintings done with malicious intent to denigrate Hindu symbols alone.

 

Freedom of expression and responsibility

Question: You are protesting against Husain’s paintings. What about freedom of expression?

Answer: Just as there is freedom of expression, there is also the freedom of belief or religion, and freedom to protest via legitimate means. Any freedom comes with responsibility; in fact, it is understood that freedom of expression is not an endless freedom, but has to be used with responsibility and discretion towards others’freedom of belief.

    “Freedom of the press entails responsibility and discretion.” - UN, EU, OIC statement.

Sanatan Sanstha supports protests only by legitimate, peaceful means. It has protested against denigration not only by artists like Husain, but also in advertisements, plays, songs, paintings etc. Just as artists have to handle freedom of expression with responsibility, so do devotees have to handle the freedom of belief with responsibility.

Despite over 690 formal complaints lodged against Husain in various states of India, the Indian police have not taken any action against him. Why do they not consider constitutional rights and freedom of so many citizens? Would the critics, upholding the freedom of expression of Husain, care to do something about the freedom of belief and protest of so many citizens?

 

Intention behind displaying derogatory paintings

Question: One can understand your protest against these denigrating paintings. However, by putting the paintings on display, are you not furthering the denigration? Why not give just a verbal description of the paintings in question?

Answer: In any act, it is the intention that counts the most. We are displaying the paintings with the express intention of bringing the offence to the public’s notice. Hence, there is no question of furthering the denigration.

A picture is worth a thousand words. The visual impact of the derogatory paintings is much more than that of their verbal description. It at once brings to the viewer’s notice the severity of Husain’s malice and denigration, leaving nothing to doubt or speculation. Naturally, the display of paintings itself makes a convincing case against them, prompting the viewer to protest immediately with the required intensity and extent.

 

Need for this protest

Question: Is there really a need to protest against M. F. Husain? Let him do whatever he wants! Does it make any difference if he does something or not? Why should we waste our time looking at Husain’s paintings? Why waste space on your web site by publishing such paintings?

Answer: The need to protest should be clear to anyone who views the paintings. One wonders whether those, who do not feel anything even after reading the online petition and viewing the denigrating paintings, should be called‘cadaverous’! It is this ostrich-like mentality, unfortunately quite prevalent among Hindus and Indians today, that has brought about a general disregard for Hindu or Indian symbols and values of reverence.

Sanatan Sanstha has not taken up this campaign to fill up space on its website or newspapers. The campaign aims to bring about worldwide awakening to not only put a stop to such denigration, but also prevent further assaults on Dharma and Holy symbols.