May 22, 2007

Platinum Credit Card with Hussain's Art

Mumbai: The agitation launched by the HJS against the ABN Amro bank for launching a credit card with M.F. Hussain's painting on it finally met with success when the chief official of the bank for the Asian sector, Jim Brown declared from their Hong Kong head office that this card would be scrapped and replaced by a new one. He also assured the HJS's Mumbai Co-ordinator Shri. Shivaji Vatkar that this card would not be introduced in any other country.

This news item was posted on the HJS website recently. In response several Hindu protagonists the world over signed a protest petition, which was forwarded to the bank. Despite repeated protests since the bank did not take any action, as a last resort the HJS was compelled to send a delegation to its Mumbai branch on May 9, where its officials promised to take action within a fortnight. On May 14, the HJS was invited by the bank for deliberation .The delegation of the HJS included the HJS Maharashtra State Convenor Shri. Ramesh Shinde, Mumbai branch Co-ordinator Shri. Shivaji Vatkar, Member Shri. Milind Poshe, Hindu protagonist Shri Ashok Samrat, Shri Dharmendraji Mudliyar of the Hindu Manvadhikar Manch, Adv. Sanjeev Punalkar legal advisor to the HJS, Adv. Bhushan Das of the Lashkar-e-Hind, etc.

Representatives of the bank present at the meeting were Shri. Sumant Katpaliya chief of the customer section in India, Shri. Saumitra Sen Vice-Chairman of its Western sector, Shrimati Sharoni Paul the Mumbai sector Vice-Chairman, legal advisors to the bank, etc. When explained how by using Hussain's pictures they were glorifying this Hindu hater and anti-nationalist artist and supplementing his income and how by hurting Hindus it would affect the bank adversely in the social and economic spheres, Shri. Katpaliya assured the delegation that they had chosen Hussain's pictures randomly and there was certainly no intention of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus and apologised for the mistake committed by the bank. He also said that they would introduce a new credit card with paintings of another artist and assured that the cards distributed in Singapore would be withdrawn and replaced.

The HJS in Pune and Kolhapur met the local bank managers and served a memorandum on them requesting withdrawal of the card. On May 22, the bank in a letter addressed to Shri Vatkar expressed that it has accepted all the terms laid down in the memorandum. The HJS thanked the bank for its prompt action. It also wishes to express gratitude to all Hindu protagonists for participating in this agitation. The HJS firmly believes that if we work thus in unity, for the sake of protecting Hinduism then we shall win every campaign.

HJS pays gratitude to God and thanks all alert Hindus for prompt support. If an international bank can perceive the perversion of the artist why can the Maharashtra state Government, Indian government and police not? – Editor

Read Further:

> HJS Campaign against MF Hussain
> Read Letters sent by alert Hindus to ABN AMRO

ABN AMRO Letter to HJS (May 22, 2007).pdf