Recently a Delhi court ordered seizure of two paintings by India's numero uno painter, the late MF Husain displayed at a prominent art gallery that portrayed Hindu deities. The order was the result of an application filed by a leading advocate who had claimed that the paintings were offensive and portrayed the Gods in a disparaging light. The court has directed the investigating officer to take immediate action and file a report by January 22. Art is a very subjective medium of expression and what might be offensive to some might not be offensive to others. Hussain had to leave India for Britain 18 years ago as he was wrongly charged with hurting sentiments of people with his depiction of deities in unclothed form. Numerous legal cases were slapped on him ; studios and galleries displaying his work were vandalized by rabid right wing groups. There are millions of other legal cases which need the immediate attention but the alacrity with which the judges took action on the extant case is a cause for alarm. This also sets a dangerous precedent for such action in future and encourages religious extremism on frivolous grounds.
