NEW DELHI, May 4: In a rare show of solidarity, writers, artists, journalists, academicians, and photographers today issued a strongly-worded statement against the ``vicious assault on the home of renowned painter M.F. Husain''. They also condemned the comments made by Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray supporting the act.``The increasing attack on the arts and the artists have alarmed us all, but this invasion of the private space of an eminent citizen shows the brazen confidence these forces have recently acquired,'' the joint statement recorded.
In the meeting, organised by the SAHMAT, the statement was signed by over 125 well-known citizens from the fields of art, culture and literature. From Bhisham Sahani and Shabana Azmi to Anup Jalota there is hardly a prominent name missing from the list. The statement was issued to their show continuing solidarity with Husain and a call for protection for the besieged painter and his fear-stricken family.
A delegation of artists, writers and media-persons would meet the President and Prime Minister with the statement as soon as they are back in Delhi.The citizens' statement also questions the release of the miscreants ``with minor sureties of Rs 1,000 each'' and Thackeray's nonchalant threats issued against Husain.
``This is farcical. The miscreants need to be booked for criminal trespassing, intimidation and destruction of property, to prevent such incidents recurring in future. The Government has to act immediately to restore the atmosphere in which the creative community can continue to function without fear,'' the artists noted.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
