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Exclusive: Husain exile to end? UPA has a plan
Published on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 21:47 in 
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New Delhi: Renowned painter MF Husain, who has been living in exile for the last few years, wants to come back to India. On his 94th birthday he made an emotional appeal that he wishes to return to his motherland.
When asked if he wants the Government of India to take steps to bring him back, the artist replied, “Any normal person would want that.”
According to sources, Husain's self-imposed exile may come to an end if a plan being worked out by the UPA succeeds. CNN-IBN has learnt that the Government is making its first move to try and come to the rescue of Hussain.
Home Ministry sources have confirmed that cases filled across the country against Husain should be expedited. This will enable the Government to work out a focussed strategy to bring Husain back.
In 2007, the Supreme Court had clubbed the cases against Husain from Gujarat and many other states in the country. Last year, the Delhi High Court gave Husain a clean chit calling his controversial paintings an expression of creativity.
Husain has been in Dubai since 2006 after his paintings were repeatedly vandalised.
"The only proactive step the Ministry took till date was circulating a directive asking all police departments to take steps adequate in law if Husain broke any law. It is about time that they took some proactive steps to protect his fundamental rights,” Husain's counsel Akhil Sibal said.
Husain’s paintings of Bharat Mata and Hindu Gods and Goddesses lead to several cases being filled across the country after the High Court's clean chit last year.
Husain's lawyer now says there are no legal impediments to his return but the Government must ensure that those who attack him or his work are punished as per law. However, that is a stand with which many disagree.
"I would certainly have reservations if the Government of India becomes a facilitator for his return,” BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
In its second stint, the UPA wants to give out the message that it stands for tolerance and acceptance of all kinds of stands. The fatwa issued against Husain and his subsequent exile remains one of the biggest controversies. A resolution of this controversy will certainly go as a feather in the Home Minister's cap.
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Religion VS Law of land : I would go for Law of land. Do not compare Hindu religion to Islam.
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Freedom of speech and or expression does not mean demeaning other peoples\' values, religion or feelings. What Hussain did was
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are you serious ?. If your words are true then anybody can mock any religion huh ??... There should be
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This is a good development. A country where there is no freedom of speech and expression is a dangerous place.
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