This is a part of Letter (in bold) to the Editor of The Hindu, from a practicing Christian lady who was Professor in Stella Maris College, Chennai till recently; now settled at Baroda, regarding an Edit in The Hindu in favour of bringing back MF Hussain to India.
"Hussain is now a citizen of Qatar-this has generated enough of heat and less of light. Qatar you know better than me is not a country which respects democracy or freedom of expression. Hussain says he has complete freedom-I challenge him to paint a picture of Mohammed fully clad.
He has a painting of Saraswati copulating with a lion. One’s sexual orientation is each one’s business I suppose. But he captioned it as Saraswati. This is the problem. why use Saraswati and Sita for his perverted expressions? Use Fatima and watch the consequence. Let the media people come to his rescue then. Now that he is in a country that gives him complete freedom let him go ahead and paint Fatima copulating with a lion or any other animal of his choice. And then turn around and prove to India-the Freedom of expression he enjoys in Qatar.
It brings back to my mind an episode that happened to The Hindu some years ago.[1991]. You had a separate weekly page for children with cartoons, quizzes, and with poems and articles of school children. In one such weekly page The Hindu printed a venerable bearded man-fully robed with head dress, mouthing some passages of the Koran-trying to teach children .It was done not only in good faith but as a part of inculcating values to children from the Koran. All hell broke loose. Your office witnessed goons who rushed in-demanded an apology-held out threats. In Ambur,Vaniambadi and Vellore the papers stands were burned-the copies of The Hindu were consigned to the fire. A threat to raise the issue in Parliament through a Private Members Bill was held out. But The Hindu next day brought out a public apology in its front page. Where were you Ram? How secular and tolerant were the Muslims?
May I fervently wish that the media-especially The Hindu does not discriminate goons-let it not substitute tolerance for intolerance when it comes to Rahim and Antony and another index for Ram."
Hussain hates Hitler and has said in an interview 8 years ago that he depicted Hitler naked so as to humiliate him as he deserves it ! HE also showed mahatma Gandhi without a head ( I dont know what that means?)So this is what he himself says he means when he paints someone nude and then he goes on to paint Indian Goddesses not just nude but having animal sex! He paints mother India nude and has another painting which says," Rape of India"! after the Mumbai terror attacks.
I am personally not bothered about what he paints But more than trying to debate about what he has done by those paintings is right or wrong the question is whether was it a responsible thing to do?
Was it so difficult for Mr M F Hussain to anticipate that it would create a controversy after an exhibition of such pictures? if No? then he is plain stupid and if YES then thats being really insensitive and irresponsible. All Indian temples have sculptures of nude women outside the temple and many more places like Khajuraho have sexually explicit carvings but none of them are named as sita or Durga.. and that too why would anyone want to show Godesses having animal sex?? and also put a name tag on their picture,"DURGA". Its obvious that it will hurt people. Even in Khajuraho temple all the sculptures of Durga, vishnu and other deities are fully clothed.
A Hindu takes pride in calling himself secular. I think that is because the whole essence of our tradition and the spiritual heritage is to realise the oneness of the whole universe..is to break through limited identifications.
But we need to realise that we need to transcend identity and not merely deny it. Mere denial is a sign of cowardice. We need to first accept and then go beyond. We need to learn from the past.
By the way I think people like M F Hussain are better in Qatar. Since I am sure in Qatar he will surely not dare to do anything even if he has the slightest doubt that it will hurt someones sentiments.
We are not short of legends, we have Lata Mangeshkar, Bhimsen joshi, Sachin tendulkar and many more who use their freedom of expression in a much more sensible and responsible manner.
Shobha De thinks that its India's loss and Qatar's good luck. I have no idea whats wrong with her. It seems she does not know that he himself said that all that he dreams is of coming back to INDIA. If he is promised security he says he would catch the first flight back HOME since he loves this great country. But may be its too late.
Goodbye Mr M F Hussain.
JaiGurudev
Rashmin
"Hussain is now a citizen of Qatar-this has generated enough of heat and less of light. Qatar you know better than me is not a country which respects democracy or freedom of expression. Hussain says he has complete freedom-I challenge him to paint a picture of Mohammed fully clad.
He has a painting of Saraswati copulating with a lion. One’s sexual orientation is each one’s business I suppose. But he captioned it as Saraswati. This is the problem. why use Saraswati and Sita for his perverted expressions? Use Fatima and watch the consequence. Let the media people come to his rescue then. Now that he is in a country that gives him complete freedom let him go ahead and paint Fatima copulating with a lion or any other animal of his choice. And then turn around and prove to India-the Freedom of expression he enjoys in Qatar.
It brings back to my mind an episode that happened to The Hindu some years ago.[1991]. You had a separate weekly page for children with cartoons, quizzes, and with poems and articles of school children. In one such weekly page The Hindu printed a venerable bearded man-fully robed with head dress, mouthing some passages of the Koran-trying to teach children .It was done not only in good faith but as a part of inculcating values to children from the Koran. All hell broke loose. Your office witnessed goons who rushed in-demanded an apology-held out threats. In Ambur,Vaniambadi and Vellore the papers stands were burned-the copies of The Hindu were consigned to the fire. A threat to raise the issue in Parliament through a Private Members Bill was held out. But The Hindu next day brought out a public apology in its front page. Where were you Ram? How secular and tolerant were the Muslims?
May I fervently wish that the media-especially The Hindu does not discriminate goons-let it not substitute tolerance for intolerance when it comes to Rahim and Antony and another index for Ram."
Hussain hates Hitler and has said in an interview 8 years ago that he depicted Hitler naked so as to humiliate him as he deserves it ! HE also showed mahatma Gandhi without a head ( I dont know what that means?)So this is what he himself says he means when he paints someone nude and then he goes on to paint Indian Goddesses not just nude but having animal sex! He paints mother India nude and has another painting which says," Rape of India"! after the Mumbai terror attacks.
I am personally not bothered about what he paints But more than trying to debate about what he has done by those paintings is right or wrong the question is whether was it a responsible thing to do?
Was it so difficult for Mr M F Hussain to anticipate that it would create a controversy after an exhibition of such pictures? if No? then he is plain stupid and if YES then thats being really insensitive and irresponsible. All Indian temples have sculptures of nude women outside the temple and many more places like Khajuraho have sexually explicit carvings but none of them are named as sita or Durga.. and that too why would anyone want to show Godesses having animal sex?? and also put a name tag on their picture,"DURGA". Its obvious that it will hurt people. Even in Khajuraho temple all the sculptures of Durga, vishnu and other deities are fully clothed.
A Hindu takes pride in calling himself secular. I think that is because the whole essence of our tradition and the spiritual heritage is to realise the oneness of the whole universe..is to break through limited identifications.
But we need to realise that we need to transcend identity and not merely deny it. Mere denial is a sign of cowardice. We need to first accept and then go beyond. We need to learn from the past.
By the way I think people like M F Hussain are better in Qatar. Since I am sure in Qatar he will surely not dare to do anything even if he has the slightest doubt that it will hurt someones sentiments.
We are not short of legends, we have Lata Mangeshkar, Bhimsen joshi, Sachin tendulkar and many more who use their freedom of expression in a much more sensible and responsible manner.
Shobha De thinks that its India's loss and Qatar's good luck. I have no idea whats wrong with her. It seems she does not know that he himself said that all that he dreams is of coming back to INDIA. If he is promised security he says he would catch the first flight back HOME since he loves this great country. But may be its too late.
Goodbye Mr M F Hussain.
JaiGurudev
Rashmin
Posts
32 comments:
Priya said...
I've had a neutral view on this right from 1996 when it all started only bcoz of the way it all came to light.These paintings existed long before certain groups 'discovered' them and started a hate campaign and the common man saw them as part of 'hate mails' with Hindu vs Muslim connotations.Some paintings I understand werent even labeled by him but by others to project anti Hindu sentiments.And to me,comparing our secular approach with the muslim hardline approach isnt a wise one.A community low on tolerance has unfortunately given rise to terror elements all over the world so is that what we want to follow?
I have heard his interviews and all he wants to do is paint,he doesnt think he has been victimised or that India is undemocratic;he seems to be least affected by all the drama that has been going on for years.There are thousands of his paintings in India which an average person doesnt know about so his objective as an artist is not to paint 'anti-hindu' or irreligious subjects as some people feel when they gloat over his prospects in Qatar.
All I'm saying is, there's more to all of this than meets the eye!
Jai Guru Dev!
Jaishree said...
"But we need to realise that we need to transcend identity and not merely deny it." - brilliantly put.
It is so strange that even as a ninety year old, his mind is preoccupied with such nonsense. Extremely immature.
Good Riddance to bad rubbish!
looking within said...
Very apt Bhaiya.
Mr. Hussain was very insensitive when he depicted things like that. People who behave and practice "pseudo-secularism" has to understand this. Is there any other artist who depicted other religion's God/Goddesses like that?I think either he is really a stupid or a person with some hidden agenda. In a way much like terrorists of Taliban who cannot tolerate other religion.
People who don't have respect for their own culture and traditions, attach pride to such false "freedom of expression". Freedom has to be used along with responsibility, not to hurt fellow beings.
Rashmin said...
Hi Priya M,
There is always more than that meets the eye. Since that is ALL that you are saying I would like you to know Guruji's views on this issue. If you believe that HE is the one who can see what we cant.
JGD
Rashmin
Mayank said...
hahaha awesome letter and thank you for posting it :D
Smriti Venkata said...
plz.. let us knw Guruji's views on this and plz explain me hw is spreading hate campaign against hussain justified on the grounds that if someone dared to do something similar like painting a demeaning picture of prophet would spark a huge protest from the muslim community.
Both are equally unjustified, hw cn u even justify something like this? Raising a voice againt intolerance or fanatacism shown by one community does not mean encouraging the same in one's own community!!!
GauravNath said...
well written...such pl who portray prejudiced perversions of their personal agenda in the name of art, are better off boycotted from universal countries like India. Its Hussain's good fortune that India has the spiritual magnanimity to brush aside his perverted portrayals like a mother brushes aside her child's ignorant tantrums.
I dare Hussain to portray Allah in such paintings in the same manner. He will not dare it, or his entire clan with all his distant relatives will be wiped clean by his own clan. Shame on such people who create bias and disharmony among religions, under the pretext of secularism and art.
Rashmin said...
Hi Anushree,
You can listen to Gurujis views on Art of Livingtv in Hindi and English. Please listen to both. This article is not written as a justification or as an encouragement to any HATE campaigns against anyone nor it is written with an intention of encouraging fanaticism or intolerance!! The purpose of all comparisons made are only to point out that we need to have equal respect for the sentiments of people belonging to all religions. Secondly the media needs to be more unbiased and not blow out of proportion the mistakes committed by people belonging to a particular community.
Lastly as Guruji says in his views in Hindi that all protest can be done peacefully.
JGD
Anand Jage said...
@ Anushree:
Just like most of the Hindus in this country, you are stabbing your own foot wu=ith an axe when you dissolve your identiity..
Thats what Rashmin is exactly trying to point.
Nobody is hating anyone or asking to hate. Just because we are told to accept people and situation as they are doesnt mean we remain passive!!
To dissolve or transcend an identitiy, one needs to have an identity!! So no Hindu or anybody from any reigion can be a true secular without having accepted an identity! So if one is not a practising Hindu(most of the media intellectuals who advocate that only Minority sentiments should not be hurt in this country), is not qualified to judge if Mr MF has hurt the sentiments of Hindus or not..!!
I am not advocating any fanaticism. But double satndards cant be tolerated!
i dont think Mr MF will paint aanything nude in Qatar!! the reason he is dying to get back to India is his obsession is bottled up there.. i guess!!
Priya said...
Yes,I've seen the video where Guruji has expressed His views and I'm wondering precisely on this--what is it that He's seeing that we are not?Coz I'm not the only one who was taken aback by the tone and content of the video.For someone who taught us that even the most hardened criminal deserves compassion as inside him lies a victim crying for help,an artist's indiscretion should have been inconsequential!Today I have non-believers hearing Him & telling me - see,He is as human as any of us;and THAT hurts.
Wont you agree Rashmin that had these views not been aired many amongst us wouldnt have given this much thought and dismissed it as someone's idiosyncrasies?
I'm sure with time Guruji will give me my answers as its no longer about an artist and his paintings.
Floyd said...
Rashmin, one thing is clear you do not understand art. Sorry to say that, but that's fact.
" Obscenity lies in the eyes of the beholder "
Hussain does not advertise his paintings on National TV, so what's the problem?? You don't like to see nudes, then don't.
Why don't you range a tirade against child porn? CHildren and women are also divine beings. Why don't you write stuff against these things? Why do you want to fuel the fire against an innocent artist with conviction.
YOur blog - your views.
Hussain's canvas - HIS expression.
That is none of our business.
Please don't quote Guruji in these matters and drag him into this mess.
looking within said...
Giving names of goddesses after depicting them nude, I don't think that shows any innocence. That too again and again. It's very clear that real innocent masses who respect the idols cannot digest such atrocities. It's such simple to understand and why people overlook that? It's just double standards and hypocrisy.
I guess that's what Guruji pointed out in his talk. Everybody should really think within that do they really would like their own kiths and kin to be depicted and given names like that?
Obviously not. So how could it be any where close to become justifiable with Goddesses!!
Rashmin Bhaiya, really appreciate your sincerity in posting even the comment that attacked you. personally. Jgd.
Rash... ! said...
A very nicely portrayed article on the facts of evidences.. I strongly agree with the words of Rashmin.. Goodbye Mr. Hussain.. Try to justify your views somewhere else.. !!
Anand Jage said...
@Floyd
Do you have the guts to walk up to Ulemas and AIMPL and say that you understand art much better than Rashmin or anyone else for that matter and therefore cartoons of Prophet by Danish artist were his way of expression? That no Muslim had right to send fatwas...
Since precisely you are questioning Rashmin's sense of art, i know he worships these Godessess with pure love, innocence and purpose to spread the knowledge. Would a man of your calibre allow an artist to paint his mother wife and sister nude,copulating animals and even caption the paintings with precise names and put them in exhibitions???????
As far as Hussain goes, i understand he is little mentally sick.. He is entitled to remain so if he wishes too (he will get better in Qatar with his freedom of expression gone).. Compassionate doesnt mean you let go your self esteem...
Freedom of expression is for those who behave with responsibility!!
Mr. MF just crossed the line by being sickly irresponsible!
BTW @ Priya M.... peaceful doesnt mean passive acceptance.. Tolerance doesnt mean getting bashed up and doing nothing about it, please dont mistake weakness for tolerance.. dharma is standing upto what is right irrespective of consequences!!
Rudheesh Raghav said...
If MF Hussain feels, he can express better in Qatar, let him be so....
We average indians are not gods... We don't have infinite tolerance...
Please leave us alone with our dieties.... & Wish you all the bests in Qatar...
abhishek said...
I fully agree with what Rashmin Said....and Miss Priya i think ur statements show insensitivity towards feelings of so many Hindus . Don't take sides with a anti-Indian .Don't use knowledge in a wrong way...acceptance doesn't mean irresponsibility towards peoples feeling.
Siddharth said...
Well Priya, Guruji is not a hypocrite. He raises His voice whenever its essential. Even Krishna and Jesus got angry when they saw injustice happening. We should be grateful that we have Him as our mentor, as our Guru who is saving our tradition.
As far as MF Hussain not labelling his paintings is concerned.. Do you have any evidence? To me it seems quite obvious who he is drawing pictures of..!!
Remember we are never taught to be hypocrites about anything in Art of Living. If you feel there is injustice, then raise your voice against it. Don't use knowledge wrongly then. :)
Cheers,
Sid
Puneeth Raj said...
I dont completely understand what was his state of mind when he named those paintings. People even with some sense of thinking before doing wouldn't indulge in such a thing and if he really had thought about it then its either plain stupidity to draw such things telling its art or something he didn't bother about. I think he must be in his second childishness stage of life where he has become completely insensitive and kind of stupid, now even if he depicts a controversial image regarding islam in the name of art I wouldn't be too surprised.
sandeep said...
Hi Priya,
I saw the video. Guruji is very serious in the talk, but he's speaks so calmly and rationally throughout. While talking on such aggressive issues, an ordinary man would have got boiled out with anger towards the end of such a talk, but Guruji is in his usual calm. For example, imagine how somebody like a Thackerey or a Javed Akhtar would end their talks on such 'hot topics'? From my observations of their speeches in the past, Thackerey would have ended with lots of innovative and insulting (although sometimes comic :)) bad words and Aktar would have certainly lost his temper and ended with lots of anger and arrogance. And look at what message our Guruji gives and how he speaks towards the end of the talk.. Don't you notice it??
Acoustic Dreamer said...
very well written, Rashmin.
It's even more disturbing to see Hindus taking out the "secular sword" swiftly to defend Hussain. We are ashamed of saying that our sentiments are hurt. Because we don't know/haven't been told anything good about our religion! Not in schools, nor in colleges. In fact till I got involved with AOL and listened to Guruji, I had no clue about my own religion! It's shameful.
We have no self-respect as Hindus. We have been made the doormats in the country. And the media and half-baked secularists who only indulge in intellectual masturbation somehow have a say.
You must check out some other articles written by this lady. They are quite enlightening. And all that coming from a Christian makes it even more valuable!
srisrifan said...
Well said Rashmin bhaiya! Goodbye Mr. M.F. .. Stay in Qatar, we do not need you here! There you can paint nude all the Qatari national icons/legends & depict them copulating with animals! We have had enough of Bullshit from you .. May God give you Sadbuddhi!
Floyd said...
@Anand : I would not confront Ulemas because they too do not understand a thing about art .
I am sure Rashmin worships these Godessess and so do I. However, Hussain has never subjected us to his paintings by publicising them and I strongly feel that painting someone nude does not entail embarassment at all times. Nudity can signify fertility or purity.
I know people in AOL are enraged after Guruji's statement on this and AOL is one of the few organisations where I can share my views though they differ from the crowd.( So please don't compare a very sensible Rashmin to the ulemas).
Just like friends do not agree at all times ( Guru is my Bandhu ) , I do not agree with Guruji's analysis on this. Guruji himself has said, the Guru is not Maya but the Guru's words are Maya.Also, I don't think a harmless man like Hussain is the cause of any fundamentalism.
Rashmin said...
Mr Floyd,
How do you think M F Hussain has become such a known and a world famous artist?? Thousands of people all over the world sneak into his house and see his paintings?? Artist hold public exhibitions...thousands of people come and watch it. these exhibitions are not held in secret places. They are of course heavily publicised.. The artists livelihood and success totally depends on the sense of appreciation of the masses. It goes without saying that the artist needs to be sensitive towards the people who have given him that fame, success and livelihood knowing fully well that all are not as enlightened as you. your comments are a bit funny ..always. you can continue commenting on my blog and provide some entertainment but its good to grow up and not make a complete fool of yourself by making statements like," obscenity lies in the eyes of the beholder"!!
Gopu said...
Really appreciate your views Floyd, and I honour them. And so goes for Rashmin and every others on their views.
However, these thoughts crossed my mind when I thought about this topic.
Famous artists' works are seen by everybody, and displayed worldwide in art galleries and public places. If Hussain was to keep his 'creativity' and 'works' confined to his house it was fine. He may have (like many others) likes and dislikes to many things (relegion, country) in life. But when a famous person like him depicts that in his work and shows the world, it can hurt people. Yes, probably he did not air his paintings in national tv, but tv is not the medium alone these days.
I believe famous personalities should be sensitive to popular sentiments and should not bring in their personal likes and dislikes into a public display. And depicting gods and godesses in such manner will hurt any person who worships them and has an normal degree of sensitivity like me.
And I am sure Art of Living and Guruji will take same stand irrespective of whether it was a Hindu God, or Christian God, or of any other relegion. The point here is hurting sentiments, and creating a divide among people.
I am sure, Floyd, that I (or you) will not sit quiet (and may be comment that 'obscenity lies in the eyes of the beholder') when someone portrays our family members in such manner, name them and publish it to the whole world. Still, if you can appreciate that as 'pure' form of art, I really appreciate it. But normal people like me may not be able to do so.
Here, the point is that we have to take a stand, and not have a passive approach. In life, I feel in general, people mistake being tolerant to be being very timid and accomodative. But they forget to take a stand and be firm on what they believe. And specially in India, we Indians should develop the skill in being firm, take a stand, have an opinion. Because we are already accomodative, and timid, may be a little than required.
The best thing that we can do is to spread awareness, and ignore him and his works. All I can wish Mr. Hussain is "Get Well Soon". May be we should start a campaign wishing him "Get Well Soon" and send some flowers, right Rashmin?
And really respect everybody's views and stand on this whether it is for his works or against.
Floyd said...
@Gopu : For your info, Hussain had portrayed a christian saint Joan of Arc nude. It passed off silently, so your statement does not hold true.
I am practicing Christian and I had no objections as to how Jesus was portrayed in the Da Vinci code ( as married to Mary Magdalene, a whore according to the Bible).I also laughed at a joke cracked by the director of the movie sayin that the same proved Jesus was not gay.After all, it was fiction.
The need of the hour is to relax and let creative beings express themselves.
Artists draw inspiration from various sources. Just like Western music is fused with Indian sounds to create fusion.
Greek Goddesses were portrayed naked and perhaps Hussain drew inspiration from that source. Art is not so simple and straightforward. That is the reason I say the general public should leave artists alone. A painting has a lot to say. It may not be explicit like a novel but it needs to be read. The reader and the read both contribute to the experience when the interpreting mind contemplates. It takes hours and a lot can be understood.
Rashmin said...
Floyd:
"I had no objections" The problem is with the word "I". YOU do not represent the whole of India nor do "I". Many things concerning every religion have passed off silently and many insignificant things have created controversies. This is true for all religions.
By the way, do you think my sentiments were hurt after seeing those paintings? My dear I have better things to worry about.Its no big deal. Unfortunately people like you, me and most of the readers of this blog do not represent the whole Indian population. This is NOT the point of the debate.
Though his strongly biased intentions are quite clear even to someone with limited intelligence I really dont care even for that. The point of debate is," was it a responsible thing to do considering the present state of affairs in the world?"
Please understand the context clearly, before you comment.
JGD
Floyd said...
@Rashmin : the context was clear and it could not be warped since you are an aol teacher. I was only concerned about the tone used. Anyways, aal iz well and keep doing the good job with ur seva and blog ... JGD :)
Barathi said...
Jai Gurudev Rashmin...I completely agree with u..n as many have commented it was very well written..We are told to give everybody a fair chance...But insanity cannot be given a chance only be CURED...Hope Qatar will be a cure for Mr.Hussain..
Good bye Mr.Hussain n GOOD RIDDANCE!!
shilpa said...
Hmmm very well said Rashmin, I love ur expression, simplicity and use of words, so apt...
Unknown said...
-----On M F Hussain-----
1.According to Forbes magazine, he has been called the "Picasso of India".
2.Awarde Padma Shree in 1955.
3. Awarde Padma Bhushan in 1973.
4.Nominated to Rajya Sabha in 1986.
5. Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1991.
6. Single canvases have fetched up to $2 million at a recent Christie's auction.
I know AOL people are suposed to be infallible. But those who think Hussain's leaving India is not India's loss should rethink. Maybe this time you are wrong.
-----On Hussain's paintings-----
"He has a painting of Saraswati copulating with a lion"
The writer is misinformed. The actual painting is Durga riding a tiger.Just google it. Some saw the painting as Durga copilating with a tiger and then it became Saraswati copulating with a lion. This is typical Indian
mentality: In any controversy, be it SRK's comment on Pakistani players in IPL or Sania-Shoaib controversy or Hussain- just jump to the conclusion without verifying the facts.
Many have raised the question:" Can Hussain dare paint Prophet Mohammad or Fatima in nude?"
Islam forbids any painting of Mohammad. That is why nowhere in the world will you find any painting or statue of Mohammad in any mosque. Whereas in Hinduism for thousand of years Gods and Goddeses have been depicted in the nude. Many of those Goddeses are mothers to someone or the other. Goddess Parvati sitting nude on Shiva’s lap, depicted in Ellora caves, is a mother to other gods like Ganesha and Karthikeyan. The
very concept of ‘Lingam’ of the God Shiva resting in the centre of the Yoni, is in a way representation of the act of creation, the union of Prakriti and Purusua. The eros of the Krishna Leela — is it also un-Indian now, or even un-Hindu? Hussain had not done anything new.
People ask, “Why do you paint ‘our’ icons nude and not ‘your’ icon nudes?” . By this you conveniently put M F Husain and his identity (that of a Muslim) as an outsider. A few years ago on his visit to the United States, Husain was asked by a radio interviewer how he felt about the controversy "as a Muslim". The 95-year-old Master had said "I'm an Indian and a painter, that's all.
Hussain had never displayed these paintings in any galley. He painted them in mid-seventies and they came in news only when a magazine wrote about them in nineties. Husain himself accepts that if you hurt people untentionally, the right thing to do is to apologise. And he has done so, more than once. Since when have Hindus become so ungracious that we refuse to accept apologies? Or is it because Muslims get their fun and frolic while relieving the frustration protesting the Cartoons of Prophet while Hindus don’t get any fun? Hindus need those occasional kicks too.If Afghans, Iranians and Arabians are intolerant, you haven't seen much, just give us some more time and you will see what we can come up with! BTW this is what Bawa had to say on Hussain's paintings: "...its an act of pure terrorism using the gentle medium of art". What a joke! And in Part2 we were taught that you see in the other person what is already present in you.
-----On AOL-----
I have attended AOL courses, satsangs and blogs. Many AOL teachers , including senior teachers like Bawa, Mahesh Giriji and yes et tu Rashmin have a tendency to put down people by
1. saying they are of "limited intelligence",
2. saying they are indulging in "kutark" ,
3. making fun of them
whenever thay raise a critical voice. You teach people to get rid of their ego but your ego itself is so fragile. I guess all these "hot seats" in DSN to learn to handle criticism are of no use, eh?
Puneeth Raj said...
@soham
about MF Hussain- anybody can say they are proud to be indian and all that but its the actions that speak more than words, and his actions have proved that he is just a selfish easy going person who does fancy things, with no sense of responsibility.
about your comment on Rashmin and other AOL teachers
if you carefully see their comments they are actually true. Its not just tendency they are very aware of what they write unlike others who just put down their emotions or their sense of just- You analyse with a calmer mind and not with judgmental attitude and then perhaps yo will understand true intentions of people.
Abhay Karnataki said...
very well said. Mr. hussain should be deported out of our planetary system!! :)