Source: Organizer

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=136&page=36

On June 25, 2006 the Organizer reported, "A large number of the dedicated Hindu Americans of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, protested in front of the Embassy of India against the denigration of Hindu gods, goddesses and Mother India (Bharata Mata) by an Indian painter, Maqbul Fida Husain. This event was organised by the Hindu American Women of Metro Washington DC area and supported by many Hindu organisations. Smt. Aruna Sharma and Smt. Asha Chand who took the lead in organising the event welcomed the supporters and representatives from the Hindu organisations participating in the rally. They emphasised the importance of women in Indian culture, religion and ancient traditions. They declared that Husain has stubbornly violated the code of decency of the civilised world by repeatedly choosing to paint Hindu goddesses—Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga and Mother India—in an indecent and abhorrent fashion—portraying them as virtually unclad. Smt. Kamal Chopra encouraged the protesters with her inspiring slogans... The speakers commented that peaceful and tolerant nature of Hindus should not be exploited and may not be taken for granted forever. M.F. Husain has chosen to depict only Hindu deities in the nude whereas Husain’s mother, daughter and Prophet Mohammed’s daughter Fatima are all painted fully dressed. They argued that the exhibiting of nude paintings of gods, goddesses and respected mothers is unacceptable in a civilised society."