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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 11:06:17 -0700 Preposterous is the one word that aptly describes these ridiculous claims by China, the aggressor in the 1962 Indo-China war. They are trying to portray themselves as the victims, why did they not do this at any single time during the thirty-six years between the 1962 war and now? Do they think the world populace is so ignorant or plain stupid to believe their ridiculous claim? Or maybe its trading partners, because of the flow of dollars from China, would be willing to believe them if they said the sun revolved around the earth. Please tell them to refrain from such ludicrous statements. Bert Kapadia
Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:34:42 -0400 I am always surprised by the attitude of Westernised and Left oriented Indian intellectuals. Since when has the only defence of secularism become throwing insults at Hindus? The South Delhiwallah artists may not understand India but they should try to. Art should be used for bringing happiness and peace and enjoyment. But does it? The modern art scene of India is by a very small minority for a very small minority, and it has nothing to do with the India or Indians at large. I do not think that an average Indian would dare enter the elite art galleries of Delhi and Bombay. He will be totally out of place in every way. I have been personally part of this scene and talk from personal knowledge.
Vijay Mathur
Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:43:21 -0400 How many of these great artists who go up to the presidential level have sent a representation to the Iranians regarding Salman Rushdie? And how many of them have sent representations to the Pakistanis against blasphemy laws? So stop degrading our ICONS! Hariharan
Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:33:35 +0300 I am a great admirer of art and artists. And I also respect artistic freedom. However, I do not think one has the right to undermine the sentiments of others in the name of artistic expression. In the eyes of few artists Husain's painting must have been the 'Mona Lisa' of the century. But his Mona Lisa was created by breaking the heart of many, for personal glory. I do not blame him because his idea to make such a painting came from the sheer negligence of the Hindu population who forgive in the name of secularism. Would he dare to do the same with the Virgin Mary? No, he wouldn't because he knows its after effects. Kudos to the Bajrang Dal. Sevak
Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:59:03 -0400 I sympathise with Mr Husain. The Bajrang Dal /Shiv Sena shouldn't have ransacked his house when he painted a nude photo of an Indian goddess. But it would be advisable for Husain not to paint such paintings. Since it was the Bajrang Dal/Shiv Sena -- they just ransacked his house. Had he painted some Muslim god, the whole Muslim world would have issued a fatwa against him. So Mr Husain I would advise you, not to do such things in the future. Dinesh
Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 21:32:49 -0400 If only all these great artists and 'civil liberty activists' can convince either M F Husain or Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh to simply paint a picture of Prophet Mohammad, their complaints can get some credibility. Or to get a taste of more milder response, paint Mahatma Gandhi or Indira Gandhi in a similar offensive way. Or, if any of these erudite members of Sahamat agree for a similar representation of their respective mothers and displayed publicly, I will really accept these paintings of Husain as real pieces of 'art.' Being a strong advocate of civil liberties myself, I also believe that my freedom ends where others begins. Infringing upon someone's freedom of belief cannot be called 'freedom of expression' or 'art'. No piece of art, however wonderful it is, which hurts the feelings of millions of people has a place in any civilised society. Gopal Kulkarni
Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:53:06 -0500 Any attack on creativity in the name of cultural purism must be put down with a heavy hand. India stands for diversity of opinion, freedom of expression and creativity. Maybe there should be a working committee setup by the government to protect artists from such attacks, and in ensuring that the other side sees sense in not putting down creativity with such acts of violence. Maybe the Bajrang Dal and other such groups will have to be educated on the need to debate such issues rather than take up violence. The greater the island of knowledge, the longer the coastline of mystery... Valli
Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 07:31:55 PDT I have read about this incident for quite some time. Yet no one (I mean NOBODY) has talked about the basic issue EVER which is: 1. Will these artists and other so-called sympathisers of M F Husain come forward in defence of another artist (Hindu or Muslim) if s/he were to depict Mohammad in a way that is objectionable to Muslims? YES or NO? 2. If YES, why did they not show their zeal for artistic freedom by opposing the ban on Satanic Verses? They were all quiet then because the Muslim feelings were (RIGHTFULLY) hurt. These people rise to the occasion when Muslim feelings are hurt, BUT complain when Hindus respond to the offending ways of an artist portraying Hindu goddesses. Why did they not blame M F Husain for offending Hindu sentiments? The BJP/ RSS did NOT go around defending Salman Rushdie's right to artistic freedom. They deplored his end-result of having offended Muslim sentiments. Muslim masses need to do the same: deplore the ACTION of M F Husain BEFORE giving them the opportunity to complain about the REACTION of some Hindus to these offences (and thus allowing them a chance to wrongfully represent Muslim masses). I personally believe that no one should hurt the religious sentiments of others. Period. This standard should be applicable to ALL. Such hypocritical defenders of artistic freedom have done more harm (and will continue to cause harm) to greater integration of Indian Muslims in the mainstream. We (Hindus and Muslims) need to see through the hypocritical agenda of these defenders of artistic freedom. If Muslim feelings will be hurt by the objectionable depiction of Mohammad (and I know they will rightfully be hurt) they should also come forward in denouncing M F Husain's depiction of Hindu goddesses in an objectionable manner. After all, insulting/offending someone else does not make me a better person. I should not be offending others if I don't like to be offended by others. Talking about artistic freedom without regard to artistic responsibility is a moral crime. After all, can M F Husain depict Mohammad in an offending manner? Will Muslims tolerate it? If not, my Muslim brethren should help Hindus deplore offences on Hindu sentiments as well. Dhananjay Bhide
Date sent: Tue, 5 May 1998 20:38:01 -0500 Rubbish, The West is *not* turning to religion, nor are they turning to India. The few 'deoxygenated prawns' in saffron clothes in India do not represent the majority of the people here. Do not make exceptions to the rule. About our glorious culture, how about the erotic sculptures in temples, of all places? How about the Kama Sutra and so on? Be realistic. No, I am *not* condoning free sex or immorality. Yet I do feel that the average Indian couple will not show their love for each other in front of the children, though they can quarrel in front of them... it doesn't matter then. Showing love is not just kissing and hugging though it not wrong. In fact in the West, it's the normal way of greeting. So be realistic.
Pallab Gupta
Date sent: Wed, 20 May 1998 14:24:11 -0700 Our hearts go out. Gross injustice was done to everyone including the scientists. Your story is more credible to us here in the USA than the police version. We all know that the police beat suspects during interrogation, I am sure you have suffered. You should sue the police if possible and the Communist government of Kerala for concoting a story and causing you so much pain. No wonder some Muslims in India feel that they will not get justice in India. As a Hindu I feel we should make the minorities feel secure within our borders. Every person in this earth can be discriminated for one reason or the other, so the perpetrators should be booked and brought to justice in a fearless and fair trial.
Date sent: Tue, 19 May 1998 23:09:23 +0800 This is the most unbiased article on the topic I have ever read. I hope many of our country men (both people from Tamil Nadu and others) read this article and understand what the LTTE guys are up to against a chauvinistic majority. Muthukrishnan
Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 12:58:19 EDT Thanks for the information. I just went to my first Yanni concert last night (5/20/98) in Memphis, TN. It is the BEST concert I have ever been too, ever. There was such electricity, energy, and everyone was dancing in the aisles. Last night prompted me to do some "Yanni searching." Thanks again for the information!!!! Nancy How Readers responded to Dilip D'Souza's recent column
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