Give M F Hussain the Bharat Ratna

TO AWARD OR NOT? Hussian's critics and fans have locked horns over whether he should get the Bharat Ratna or not.

Other stories in the section:

Hussain lands Delhi cops in trouble

A Delhi court summoned a Delhi Police officer for failing to file a final report in a complaint against the artist.

• The Music Room bags Crossword book award
• Jhumpa Lahiri gets richest honour for latest book

Featured Blog

Abhishek Patni

MAULANA MULAYAM AND PERILS OF NUCLEAR DEAL

Featured Slideshows

New Delhi: A letter of support that certain artists, authors and filmmakers have sent to the President of India suggests that M F Hussain's name be considered for the Bharat Ratna.

The renowned artist has been out of the country, on a self-imposed exile because of the various cases filed against him for hurting Hindu sentiments by certain provocative paintings.

But his supporters want him back home, honoured with the prestigious award.

Says an artist, Krishen Khanna, "To create a situation where he has to exile himself - and he's 91 years old and people should not forget that. If he dies outside this country, then it will be a stigma we will never be able to rub ourselves off."

CNN-IBN: What do you think about the artist community lobbying your name for the Bharat Ratna?

M F Hussain: I have nothing to say. How can I comment on something like that?

CNN-IBN: What do you have to say on the various cases filed against you?

M F Hussain: I will only talk about art and nothing else.

Despite the open letter to the President and the lobbying that is happening in support of M F Hussain for the Bharat Ratna, the other side is not impressed.

Hussain's critics have been protesting against him and how.

• The Hindu Personal Law Board had announced a Rs 51 crore reward for beheading the artist.
• A local leader in Gujarat promised one kg of gold to anyone who gouged out Hussain's eyes.
• In Madhya Pradesh, ex-Congress leader Akhtar Baig, offered nearly 20,000 euros to the person who would chop off Hussain's hands.

According to former Rajya Sabha member, Prafull Goradia, "Well if he were to be given the Bharat Ratna, then I think that the man who drew the Danish cartoons of Prophet Mohammad should also be awarded the Bharat Ratna. I would prefer him hanged than that he be given the Bharat Ratna."

Despite having made the biggest contribution to take Indian art at the international level, it seems that M F Hussain's career will remain marred by recent events.