Protest against M.F. Husains abuse of Hindu Deities.

A book written by Prafull Goradia and K.R. Phanda that has been published in 2003 by Contemporary Targett Prafull Private Limited, New Delhi. This book includes information about another book containing paintings denigrating Hindu deities by M.F. Husain a renowned painter of international repute.


From its cover, the book by Daniel Alan Herwitz looks like a regular art book. The book has prints of paintings chosen by the painter himself. It has a commentary text written by Dr Daniel Herwitz of California State University and a preface by Russi Mody, the then chairman of Tata Steel, a major public sector company in India.

However the book itself contains blasphemous pictures of Hindu deities shown in the nude in various compromising positions and that would hurt the sentiment of not only Hindus but of every seeker of God following any faith. The nudity involves Hindu deities like Lord Hanuman, Goddess Durga and Goddess Sita. Besides the pictures are in very bad taste.

A deity is an aspect of God that performs the various functions of the Universe. Regardless of religion or culture if a seeker of God understands that Lord Hanuman is representative of the ultimate or perfect devotee he would be definitely offended. So also Goddess Durga represents that aspect of God that is responsible for the destruction of evil and is mother principle of the Universe.

In his paintings, M. F. Husain has drawn his own mother, daughter, the Prophets daughter, a Muslim lady and even Muslim poets for that matter with clothes. Why does he not extend the same courtesy to Hindu deities? Why does he not feel the need to disrobe his mother, daughter etc. to achieve artistic perfection? One has to ask what gives a painter such as M.F. Husain the creative licence to denigrate Hindu deities and yet not be taken to task?

Mr. Russi Modi has supported and given a good review to this book. If M.F. Husain had painted nude pictures of symbols of worship of Mr. Modis religion (Zorastrian) would Mr. Russi Modi support the book and give it a good review?

It is gross insensitivity to depict the symbols of worship of millions of people that have passed the test of time and survived for thousands of years. This is totally unexpected from an artist, that too coming from the very land of the rich and ancient culture. Appeal to all hindus and neutral people viewers to join us in our campaign to curb this obscene and unrighteous act irrespective of their faith or whether they are atheists. Please view our petition page after reading the material on the subsequent pages. To let our readers understand the magnitude of the insulting pictures we have published some of them.

Hussein cannot draw Muslim deities,leave alone nude..he cant give a pictorial representation of mohammad itself.. it wud be called blasphemous and there would have been a cry of fatwa.Years back a painter from chennai (glassnost) created a nude picture of hussein and he was pulled to court by none other than MF Husseintso much for creative freedom.

Hinduism is the only religion which does not have the concept of blasphemy..so we can tease our gods make fun of them etc,., bcoz for us gods r not big bosses sitting on the top n watching.. they r like intimate friends.

We call upon all

--To socially ostracise him,
--Boycott his painting exhibitions
--Not purchase or hang his works and
--Get all his paintings removed from their offices and galleries where they are on display.

Please forward this petition on to all your friends and acquaintances to make them aware of the rogue painter.And to view those disgusting painting click on

http://www.sanatan.org/en/05/Protests/MFHusain/paintings1.php