The Hindu : National : Sena activists target Husain’s exhibition

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Friday, Dec 28, 2007
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Sena activists target Husain’s exhibition

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Days after organisers of an exhibition of works of renowned painter M.F. Husain at the India International Centre here received threats to wind up the show, two alleged Shiv Sena activists entered the venue posing as visitors and damaged the frame of a print on Thursday.

Around 4 p.m., the two activists gave the slip to the two dozen policemen deployed outside “Art Gallery,” and began raising slogans against Mr. Husain inside the venue. They threw pamphlets threatening to target exhibitions of his paintings all over the country.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Anand Mohan said: “They were shouting slogans when they were rounded up. There was no damage to property. We have not received any complaint regarding the incident from the exhibition organisers so far.”

The two were whisked away to the area police station where they were interrogated. The accused, identified as Deepak Suri and Sohan Kumar Munde, were then arrested on charges of breach of peace, the police said.

“Minor damage”

In a statement to the media, the IIC authorities said: “Two miscreants who had attempted to damage prints were detained by the IIC security staff and handed over to the police. No damage was done to the prints or other property, barring some minor damage to the frame of a print.”

Later, a meeting of senior IIC officials was held to take stock of the situation and it was decided that the exhibition would continue as scheduled till Friday.

The exhibition was suspended for a day on December 22 following threats allegedly issued by the Bajrang Dal.

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