BAJRANG DAL DESTROYS GALLERY SHOWING NUDE DURGA WITH CONDOM
Dr. Jai Maharaj
[ From: "G.Subramaniam" <gsu...@comcast.net>
[ Subject: Bajrang Dal destroys gallery showing Nude Durga with condom
[ Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004
Gallery vandalised over Durga painting
Friday, January 30, 2004
Surat - The conflict between art and popular norms came
to the fore again, when activists of the Bajrang Dal and
the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) ransacked the Garden
Gallery of Arts and Textiles inside the premises of the
Garden Silk Mills (GSM) on Thursday evening.
They were protesting against the alleged depiction of
nudity in the paintings on display at the gallery.
Particular offence was taken to a painting of Goddess
Durga, by painter Chitravanu Majumdar.
VHP leader Vimal Unarkad told TNN that the Goddess had
been depicted in very bad taste, with the message 'Latex
for single use' at the bottom of the painting, which
could not be tolerated. There was a condom painted
alongside the image. Activists also objected to other
paintings, which showed female nudity and removed them
from the gallery.
According to GSM senior executive Kamlesh Vyas, around 50
persons claiming to be from the Bajrang Dal entered the
gallery at around 5.30 pm and broke some glass panels and
ransacked some of the paintings. Ironically, the gallery
had been inaugurated by MF Hussain on Sunday, an artist,
who himself has suffered much at the hands of similar
organisations.
Hussain has, in interviews in the past, commended
Majumdar's work as an artist.
The gallery, which was opened to the public on Tuesday,
was closed down following the incident, according to GSM
officials. The extent of the damage to the paintings,
many of which, including the controversial work, were
from the private art collection of Praful Shah of Garden
Mills, could not be ascertained.
Later, the painting were returned on assurances that they
would not be displayed. Vyas told TNN that the gallery
had been closed following the incident as they did not
want to aggravate the situation. Police commissioner VK
Gupta told TNN that a police team was rushed immediately
and the situation was brought under control. No one was
injured.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/453774.cms
End of forwarded message from "G.Subramaniam" <gsu...@comcast.net>
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