Letter to Home Minister P. Chidambaram in support of Husain
To: Shri P Chidambaram Dear Shri Chidambaram, The recent report of the acceptance of citizenship of Qatar by the eminent painter MF Husain has caused great anguish in the artistic community. That such a towering figure of our country should be forced into such a decision at the age of 95 is a national tragedy for our culture. There are confusing and conflicting reports appearing in the press. In 2006, a group of artists had a meeting with the previous Minister of Home Affairs ( letter attached ), when we read press reports that the Minister had issued an advisory to the police in Delhi and Mumbai to carry out investigations on the complaints which had been filed against MF Husain in many parts of India. We were given to understand by legal experts that this implied that Mr Husain could be arrested even while the investigations were in process. |
We would like to know if this advisory is still in effect and also if the police investigations on the complaints have been completed and filed. There have been press reports quoting your statement saying the Government would give protection to Mr Husain should he choose to return to his homeland. But there is great confusion given the lack of clarity of the nature and status of the police investigations which also come under your ministry. We feel it would clear the confusion in the artist community as well as in the press if this was clarified.
With Regards, Ram Rahman, Vivan Sundaram, Arpana Caur, MK Raina, Shubha Mudgal |