Retributions  

Trust the Indian government to come up with such gems.Outlook reports”In an unprecedented move against noted painter M F Hussain, the Union Home Ministry has asked the police in Delhi and Mumbai to take “appropriate” action against him with regard to his “objectionable” paintings of Hindu deities contending it had the potential to hurt people’s sentiments”Eh? What? Is this the government response to this? Should solve all problems, no?Accepted, Hussain is perhaps overrated as an artist, also with increasing age, he is given to antics which leave the more (in)sane of us staring in disbelief.But seriously, what happened to the freedom of speech? Artistic freedom of expression? How long is it is going to be held hostage to loonies who in most cases just have a political agenda to grind? And frankly, why are we so fast of the block to assuage anyone whose religious feelings is hurt. Lest anyone forget, we were the first to ban Satanic verses. But then we share more in common with Iran than er..commonly thought.BBC reports. And where does this culture of intolerance leads to? Another BBC report.So what explains the government alacrity in taking action against Hussain? Pretty simple, a government which did not have the guts to speak against the idiot who offered 51 crores for the Dutch cartonist’s head loses its moral authority to counter when the loony right from the other side demands it pound of flesh.So, take the easy way out. Acquiesce to every religious loony out there.Pah! Secular bigots!As for me I say! If something offends you, don’t look at it yaar.My previous piece on hate speech here.