Vashi: Ahead of the auction of paintings by acclaimed painter MF Husain, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded an immediate ban on the auction and stop the glorification of his criminal deeds.

As many as 25 rare Husain paintings worth Rs 25 crore will go under the hammer. The auction titled, 'M F Husain: An Artist's Vision of the XX Century', will be held through Pundole Art Gallery at the Hamilton House in Ballard Estate on June 12. The 25 canvases are part of Husain's Our Planet Called Earth (OPCE) series.

HJS submitted a memorandum to the Maharashtra chief minister, union home minister, mumbai police commissioner, and the district collector demanding an immediate ban on the auction. The Samiti also warned of public agitation if necessary action was not taken.

"M F Husain, during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, painted a nude and disrespectful image of Bharat Mata titled ‘Rape of Mother India’, which is a severe act of sedition. In other paintings, he portrayed Bharat Mata nude with names of Indian cities written on her body. Other objectionable works include: a nude Sita Mata sitting on Hanuman’s tail, Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman shown nude together, Lord Ganesh seated in the lap of a nude woman, and Hanuman flying with a nude woman in his hand. He has also deliberately painted vulgar and obscene images of goddesses Saraswati, Parvati, Ganga, and Yamuna, thereby gravely hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus in the world," the HJS statement said.

HJS demanded that the proposed auction and sale of Husain’s paintings be immediately stopped and legally banned. Legal action should be taken against individuals, organisations or galleries involved in displaying or selling such works. The dissemination of artwork that insults national or religious sentiments must be prohibited. Additionally, the insulting painting of Bharat Mata should be officially declared as anti-national and destroyed.