Vulgar pictures in Baroda University offensive to faiths : BJP
New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Defending the action of Sayajirao University authorities in Vadodara in suspending its dean of Faculty of Fine Arts for displaying 'vulgar and offensive' pictures deeply offending the faith and beliefs of Hindu and Christian religionists, the BJP today said the citizens' protest against the display was 'verbal and peaceful'.
BJP Parliamentary Party Spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the citizens of Vadodara found the pictures displayed for exhibition on May 9 as hurting the sentiments and faith and decency of the society at large. The so called work of art included a huge Christian Cross where Christ was portrayed indecently.
Similarly, Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Hanuman and Ganga and Yamuni were portrayed in inappropriate and indecent manner. When the citizens protested and requested the students to remove the objectionable works from public display, not only did the students refuse but so did Prof S K Panniker, Incharge Dean of the Faculty, Mr Malhotra said.
After a long and consistent persuasion, the 'art works' were removed and kept safely under lock and seal by the police. The suspended dean was quoted as saying that the Faculty was his 'bedroom' and was free to use it the way he wanted.
Taking objections to the pseudo secularists defending the offensive pictures in the name of 'freedom of expression', Mr Malhotra said he would have understood their concerns if fatwa no Taslima Nasreen, offering Rs 500,000 on her head, had been opposed. But this fatwa was supported by an organisation like All India Muslim Personal Law Board, he alleged.
Mr Malhotra said controversial artist M F Hussain had instilled all these kinds of pervert attitudes and the BJP was totally opposed to this madness. "If he has courage, he should try out his artistic skills to know the religious reaction against his own religion and not derive pleasures in painting naked Hindu Gods and Godesses," he said.
When
asked
about
Mrs
Maneka
Gandhi,
the
BJP
MP
expressing
her
support
to
the
artists,
Mr
Malhotra
said
he
was
not
sure
if
she
had
seen
the
pictures.''Many
who
have
not
seen
the
pictures
may
support
the
freedom
of
expression
but
not
the
ones
who
have
seen.
In
any
case,
her
support
was
in
her
'personal
capacity'
and
not
that
of
the
party.''
UNI