MF Husain applies for overseas citizenship

Dubai, Mar 9: In what could a good news for the India fans, renowned artist MF Husain has applied for an Overseas Citizen of India card after he had surrendered his Indian passport to the country's mission in Doha.

Expressing his love for India, 95-year-old Husain said that the he would continue visiting the country.

"India is my motherland and I simply cannot leave that country. What I have surrendered is just a piece of paper," Husain said after surrendered his passport in Doha.

"I will continue to travel to India and have applied for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card as Indian law does not permit its citizens to hold dual citizenship. I"m here to fulfil my professional commitments and I"m grateful that Qatar came to my support," said Husain.

Husain's decision to give up his Indian citizenship has ensued appeal from his fans in both India and Gulf, to the Indian government to make arrangements for the artist to come back.

Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, while asking the artist to return to India, had assured him of protection.

OneIndia News