Photo Caption :From left: Ravindra Dasari, Advocate Sudarshan Gajam, Advocate Anish Paralkar, Balwant Pathak. Additional District Collector of Mumbai, Mr. Ravi Ratan Katakdhond, accepting the memorandum

 Mumbai – The controversial artist M F Husain, who drew a vulgar, perverse, obscene, and nude painting titled “Rape of Mother India”, insulting Bharat Mata who is revered by 1.4 billion Indians is now set to have 25 more of his paintings auctioned on 12 June 2025 at the ‘Pundole Art Gallery’ at Hamilton House, Mumbai. In light of this, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Union Home Minister, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the District Collector demanding an immediate ban on this auction and to stop the glorification of his criminal deeds. The Samiti has also warned of strong public agitation if the demands are not heard and necessary action is not taken.
     The memorandum states that, “M F Husain, during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, painted a nude and disrespectful image of Bharat Mata titled “Rape of Mother India”, which is a severe act of sedition. In other paintings, he portrayed Bharat Mata nude with names of Indian cities written on her body. Other objectionable works include: a nude Sita Mata sitting on Hanuman’s tail, Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman shown nude together, Lord Ganesh seated in the lap of a nude woman, and Hanuman flying with a nude woman in his hand. He has also deliberately painted vulgar and obscene images of goddesses Saraswati, Parvati, Ganga, and Yamuna, thereby gravely hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus in the world.”
     Over 1,250 police complaints were filed across India against these offensive depictions. Massive protests forced Husain to flee India and accept citizenship of Qatar.
     The Samiti further stated that, “Holding an auction of these 25 paintings is tantamount to indirectly supporting his previous anti-national and anti-social acts. Glorifying such individuals under the guise of “artistic freedom” is unacceptable. The Patiala House Court in Delhi has recently ordered the seizure of Husain’s controversial paintings, and an investigation is underway. Previously, several of his exhibitions were cancelled across India, and awards in his name were revoked.”
     Hindu Janajagruti Samiti demands that the proposed auction and sale of M.F. Husain’s paintings be immediately stopped and legally banned. Legal action should be taken against individuals, organisations or galleries involved in displaying or selling such works. The dissemination of artwork that insults national or religious sentiments must be prohibited. Additionally, the insulting painting of Bharat Mata should be officially declared as anti-national and destroyed.
Sincerely,

english Pressnote by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti