The hapless situation of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, currently running from pillar to post to ensure a peaceful stay in India, once again points to the fact that we as a nation have been ceding our authority to fundamentalists. But we must ensure that we don’t propagate double standards in chastising one brand of fundamentalism while condoning the other.

Take the case of M.F. Husain, one of India’s best known painters, who has been forced to live in exile in London for many years. A non-descript Hindu organisation has been threatening him with dire consequences because they believe he showed disrespect to Hindu religious idols in his paintings. Husain has clarified, again and again, that he has no disrespect for Hinduism, but on the contrary, has utmost respect for Hindu religious deities. People who know him have never doubted his deeply secular viewpoint. In fact, in London, Husain is part of all Indian celebrations — be it Diwali, Holi or Indian Independence Day. But because of this paralegal ban on his entry into India, Husain has been unable to properly contest the court cases, many of them frivolous, filed against him in various courts in India.

In my view, Husain’s safe return to India must be ensured by the government to reassert the state’s authority.

He is an Indian citizen and the government must take care that he is allowed to live a safe and peaceful life in his own country.

... contd.