‘Unbreakable Mumbai’: HJS submits memorandum

Shri A. N. Roy
Commissioner of Police
Mumbai

9th Feb 2007

Sir,
Through this letter we the following are registering our protest against the paintings of M. F. Husain, put up in various parts of the city by Mumbai police. As per the newspaper reports of Times of India, dated 7th Feb 2007, Bombay Times dated 7th March 2007 and Mumbai Mirror dated 8th Feb 2007, you had personally requested Mr. Husain to make the painting for the campaign of Mumbai police, ‘Unbreakable Mumbai’. These paintings are put in various parts of Mumbai city. It is disheartening to know that a man who has hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus and humiliated Indians by painting Bharatmata as a nude woman, is given the title by newspapers as "Fida on communal harmony"!!!!!

How can a man, against whom court cases filed all over the country for indecent representation of women and for deliberately hurting religious sentiments of Hindus by painting Hindu gods and goddesses in nude and obscene manner, be promoted by the Mumbai police? How can such a communally insensitive man be given the credit of spreading communal harmony? How can a man who has no respect for Mother India be encouraged to repaint Mother India? How can Mumbai police accept the monetary proceeds from the paintings of such a man, who has no regard and respect for women, for India and for fellow citizens? Can the police not generate funds by other dignified means?

We would also like to ask you that if this same person was facing court cases and criminal charges for hurting religious sentiments of Muslims or Christians or of any community/religion other than Hindu, would you still have the courage to request him to make similar derogatory paintings and would you publicly display them all over the city? Would you not worry about the law and order situation then, and withdraw the paintings? Is it morally and legally correct for the police to act in association with a person, who is under investigation by the police, that too, as per court orders? There was objection raised by many regarding Husain’s painting named Bharatmata, for hurting national pride. You must also be aware that the central government has issued a directive to the Delhi police to investigate that matter. In such a situation, is it correct on part of the police to associate with M. F. Husain?

We appreciate your campaign ‘Unbreakable Mumbai’, but we will not accept people like M. F. Hussain and his paintings. We request you to take note of these facts and the sentiments of people, and remove M. F. Husain’s paintings from the citywide display and auction. This will to some extent restore credibility of the Mumbai police in the eyes of those whose feelings are hurt. It will also assure law abiding citizens that the police are not hand in glove with the very people that they are supposed to investigate!

We hope that you will not disappoint us.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Pravakta
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti