In an expression of approval to the quashing of the arrest warrants against the painter, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium assured the court that he would write to the Law Commission suggesting measures to protect artists.

Shamshad Hussain, son of M F Hussain and also a painter, said he was “happy” with the verdict, but voiced apprehensions about the other cases pending against his father. Eight criminal cases had been filed against Hussain in places, including Delhi, Indore, Rajkot and Hardwar. All these were transferred to the Patiala trial courts here on the Supreme Court’s directions in September 2007. Hussain’s counsel, Akhil Sibal, called the judgment “historic and wonderful”.

Reacting to the verdict, advocate Poornima Sethi, who represented complainant A S Naruka, said: “Can the fundamental right of speech and expression of one person override the fundamental right of speech and expression of an entire community?...Why has this painter attacked the idols of one particular majority community? If his concern is art, then he should also concern himself with the figures of other communities too?”. She added that her clients would “definitely take proper legal steps” against the High Court verdict.