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VOICE MAIL

        Sir,

        This is in reference to Menaka Gandhi's letter to BJP leader L K Advani calling for ending the harassment of artists, specifically M F Hussain. It is surprising that Menaka Gandhi who is so sensitive to hurting animals is insensitive to the hurt inflicted on humans.

        Respect and tolerance should be mutual. Under the guise of art, artists cannot indulge in hurting the sentiments of a particular community. This is not the first time that Hussain had been inspired to paint Hindu Goddesses in the nude. Now others like the students in the MS University of Varodara are following suit. Why is it that this special art inspiration of his (and others) is reserved only for Hindu Goddesses? Will he dare to give expression to his inspiration to paint nude saints and Virgin Mary? Would he dare to even paint an Indian woman in nude and give her an Islamic name? Does art give the freedom to artists to hurt the sentiments of Hindus and denigrate Hindu religion and call it freedom of the artist?

        It is then not just art but utilising art as a tool to hurt. Can artists stoop to the level of misusing their talents and their skill for creating religious hurt? Hussain's exile in Dubai is self-imposed. No matter how high and famous one is the law is above him.