Goa Police bow to pressure, ask Kerkar to stop show

Goa Police bow to pressure, ask Kerkar to stop show
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Cowing under pressure from the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS), the police on Monday served notice on reputed Goan artist Subodh Kerkar to “desist from getting involved in such activities which may insult religious feelings or religious beliefs”. SP (North) Bosco George said Kerkar “should keep in mind the sentiments of the community and avoid creating a law and order problem”. “We will soon take a decision on whether or not the artist’s graphics hurt sentiments.

If it is found to hurt religious sentiments, we will initiate legal action against him,” he said. HJS had petitioned the police last week alleging that Kerkar had published “drawings of Lord Ganesh in various positions”, thereby insulting religious beliefs. It also wanted that the artist’s exhibition of Ganesha drawings be stopped. Earlier this month, HJS had demanded that the Goa State Museum remove M F Husain’s ‘Standing Buddha’ from its gallery. Officials said the matter would be taken up with higher authorities.

Even as the Calangute police issued notice to Kerkar under section 149 CrPC (police powers to prevent cognizable offence), the artist said he would go ahead with his exhibition. He also sought police protection apprehending that some organisations might try to disrupt his show scheduled from August 20 to 31, 2009 at the Kerkar Art Gallery in Calangute. Kerkar also alleged that on Monday he received calls from unknown persons, abusing him and threatening to murder him.

On receiving his complaint, the police have registered an offence under section 507 IPC (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) against unknown persons. “There is absolutely no intention of hurting anybody’s religious feelings. My drawings are my offerings to Shri Ganapati and no kind of insult is intended,” he said. “If some people’s feelings have been hurt by these drawings, it only shows their narrow-mindedness and fanaticism.

May Lord Ganesh help them clear their minds,” he said. “You (police) are most welcome to my gallery any time to view my drawings and judge for yourself,” Kerkar said in his reply to the police.

18 August 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition