Author: Rudroneel Ghosh
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: March 5, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/239877/Get-off-your-high-horses.html
Over the last week or so a lot has been said
regarding MF Husain's acceptance of Qatari citizenship. In effect, this would
mean that the 95-year-old artist would be surrendering his Indian passport.
The discourse on the issue has seen two camps emerge - those who believe that
Husain has hurt the sentiments of the people and are vindicated by his acceptance
of citizenship of an Islamic Sheikhdom, and those who believe that Husain
is a victim of politics of intolerance. The latter would have us believe that
Husain's decision to become a Qatari citizen has been a painful one; that
given a choice he would have continued to reside in the country of his birth.
But on his recent interview to NDTV, Husain's
justification for shifting base to Qatar flew in the face of those who have
been doggedly defending him. In his own words Husain described his decision
to be a pragmatic one, in very John Lennon style called citizenship a piece
of paper, and listed reasons raging from taxes and sponsorship to a conducive
artistic environment, unfinished projects and old age as the main motivating
factors for leaving India. He clarified that he was not running away from
the Indian law and was very much aware of the fact that there are legal cases
pending against him that could require his physical presence to which he had
no objection.
But most surprising of all was his big thumbs
up to India. Not only did Husain say that he was still spiritually connected
to India but also that he continued to believe that India was hugely tolerant
and democratic, and that even though some people took exception to his works,
he held no grudges against anyone.
Husain's only concerns right now are his three
ambitious projects: The history of the Arab civilisation (being sponsored
by the Sheikha of Qatar), the history of Indian films, and the history of
the Indian civilisation. He even admitted that he would wait and see if Qatar
offers him the artistic freedom he desires, implying that he does not rule
out shifting to another country to complete his projects if the need be. Given
all this, those who have made a fetish of defending Husain should get off
their high horses. If Husain himself does not feel he has been wronged, they
have no reason to continue maligning Indian democracy.
