Success of Hindus : Gallery Art Positive removes objects that denigrate Hindu deities

Let us all pay gratitude at the feet of Bhagwan ShriKrishna for this success to Hindu Unity !

Gallery Art Positive has removed the Untitled collage (which is about Goddess Kali mata) and a nude painting called ‘Draupadi’s Vow’ after devout Hindus’ lawful protests against their sentiments being hurt.

After devout Hindus had brought this denigration to the notice of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, the Samiti had sent a letter making the Gallery aware of the denigration. Also, the pro Hindu daily newspaper ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ had created awareness in the people about this. As a result many devout Hindus had contacted the Art Gallery and expressed their displeasure in a lawful manner.

After this, on 8th January, 2015 Shri. Shivaji Vatkar of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti talked to the administrative department of the Art Gallery and they assured Shri. Vatkar that they have withdrawn the offensive images from their website as well as from the ongoing exhibition ‘Devotion : Truth in the Service of Art’.

The Art Gallery’s management, as devout Hindus, clarified that it respects the sentiments of fellow Hindus. So the gallery has withdrawn the offensive items. They also sent an email about this (See below).

Hindus, remember that there are efforts to belittle Hindu Dharma, Hindu customs and Hindus though various media like TV, movies, theatre and art. Use lawful means to fight these malicious efforts. Also, Dharmashikshan (providing knowledge about Dharma) is an effective tool to educate people to ensure that such denigration does not take place.

Apology letter from Gallery Art Positive :

From: Galleryart positive <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: Request to stop sale and exhibition of denigrating paintings.
To: HJS Protest Team <[email protected]>

To Hindu Janajagruti Samiti,
Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention the objectionable content which was displayed in our gallery . This along with the show has been removed from the gallery with immediate effect.

We regret any inconvenience caused.

Regards,
The Management
Gallery Art Positive

Protest against ‘Gallery Art Positive’ for blaspheming Hindu Deities

Alert Hindus brought to Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s notice ongoing exhibition titled ‘Devotion/Truth in Service of Art‘ and reported that there are a few items from various artists that have terribly denigrated Hindu Deities and people held in high regard by Hindus.

1. Draupadi’s vow (http://www.galleryartpositive.com/exhibitions_artist_detail.php?id=3&pid=1495&exid=49)

(Image is not published for its obscenity)

2. Untitled collage (Kali lookalike) (http://www.galleryartpositive.com/exhibitions_artist_detail.php?id=345&pid=1482&exid=49)

HJS immediately reached out to the organisers of the exhibition and tried to make them aware that as per Dharmashastra and spiritual science, the image of Kali that is being showcased in the exhibition do no conform to either the Science of Spirituality or the Scriptures. Further, the nude titled Draupadi’s Vow is extremely distasteful. We also mentioned that these art installations amount to denigration and are an offense as per Indian Penal Code section 295A. (See complete letter below)

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is yet to receive any intimation from Gallery Art Positive. The objectionable images are still on display on their website.

HJS’ PROTEST LETTER TO GALLERY ART POSITIVE

To,
Art Positive,
F-213/B,
Old MB Road,
Lado Sarai,
New Delhi – 110030

Dear Sir / Madam,

Subject : Request to withdraw certain pieces of art that offend Hindu sentiments, from the ongoing ‘Devotion/Truth in service of Art’ exhibition

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is a registered NGO engaged in social, religious and National welfare work. The Samiti is active throughout the world, educating people about Dharma in scientific way, campaigning against malpractices that masquerade as religious practices while also solving issues of national, social and religious importance. Over the years, the Samiti has also been actively working with various art houses who have requested for assistance in matters related to Hindu Dharma and Deities. For further details please refer to our website www.HinduJagruti.org

We learned about your ongoing exhibition titled ‘Devotion/Truth in Service of Art’ and were excited to see that an Art Gallery has recognized the fact that ‘Art should not be merely for the sake of Art’, but it should be the Artist’s way of reaching out to God. However, we were deeply disappointed to see that there are a few items from various artists that have terribly denigrated Hindu Deities and people held in high regard by Hindus.

Draupadi’s vow – Anupam Sud
Untitled collage (Kali lookalike) – Shakila

As per Dharmashastra and spiritual science, the word, touch, form, taste, fragrance and the energy associated with them coexist. Whenever any image of a Deity (like Shri Ganesh or Shiva) or a divine symbol (like Om or Swastik) is produced, the divine energy is present in that. The scriptures also mention how a particular Deity’s image should be. However, the image of Kali that is being showcased in your exhibition do no conform to either the Science of Spirituality or the Scriptures. Further, the nude titled Draupadi’s Vow is extremely distasteful. Draupadi, who is revered as one of the Panchakanya, is looked up as a symbol of purity. People viewing the nude will lose any such thoughts! Actually all these art installations amount to denigration and are an offense as per Indian Penal Code section 295A.

A very similar issue arose in case of M F Husain, who had on numerous occasions depicted Hindu Deities and symbols of worship as nudes. You can read more about the awareness campaign that HJS has initiated in this regard on the following link. We request you to pay special attention to the verdict by the Delhi High Court that condemned Husain’s paintings of Hindu Deities, while also clearly explaining what freedom of expression and art mean.

https://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/hypocrisy.php

So, we request you to immediately withdraw the following items from the ongoing exhibition (and any others that can hurt Hindu sentiments).

Draupadi’s vow (http://www.galleryartpositive.com/exhibitions_artist_detail.php?id=3&pid=1495&exid=49)
Untitled (paper collage on canvas) (http://www.galleryartpositive.com/exhibitions_artist_detail.php?id=345&pid=1482&exid=49)

Please acknowledge this letter and inform us in writing about the action taken by you in this regard.

Sincerely,
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti