Husain's paintings at 'parallel' exhibition vandalised

NEW DELHI: A group of activists today destroyed frames of some paintings of M F Husain displayed at a 'symbolic protest exhibition' of the painter's work here.

About 10 activists, shouting slogans and holding placards that read 'Bharat mata ki jai' and 'Jai Shri Ram' came to the lawns of the Constitution Club, the venue of the exhibition, and damaged some framed paintings and prints, a television set, a DVD set and some furniture, Rajan, one of the organisers, told PTI.

The 'symbolic protest exhibition' was organised by SAHMAT to protest against the non-inclusion of Husain's paintings at the India Art Summit which concluded here today.

The organisers said the police had been informed about the three-day exhibition that began on August 22. Meanwhile, they have extended the exhibition by a day.

Arpana Caur, a painter who was present at the time of the attack, said, "These men came near the paintings and tried to damage them. They were carrying placards with Jai Shri Ram written on them."

Police reached the spot soon after the incident, but they managed to escape.

Describing the attack as a "cowardly act", Rajan said, "the DCP of the area had been informed well in advance about a possible disruption but no security was provided making us an easy target."

Meanwhile, SAHMAT has called for a protest meeting tomorrow.