Maqbool Fida Husain

From Censorpedia

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Date: 1998

Region: Asia

Subject: Religion, Nudity

Medium: Painting


Bharatmata [1]

Artist: Maqbool Fida Husain

Confronting Bodies: Indian government and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Congress) officials

Dates of Action: May, 1998

Location: New Delhi, India

Description of Artwork: Husain's paintings feature the Hindu goddesses Saraswati, Draupadi and Sita in the nude.

The Incident: Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad complained of Husain's paintings. The government, dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, gave permission to Delhi police to investigate Husain. Their charge was insulting the Hindu religion.

Results of Incident: Husain has had his home in Bombay attacked by Hindu militants because of his work.

Source: Index on Censorship, 5/98