Damn this cultural policing!

Vidyut Latay

I am an immigrant in the USA studying here at SFSU. Along with the American news, I watch online streaming news clips aired from my country of origin – India to keep myself updated of what’s making news there. A recent news flash shocked me beyond belief. An extremist group barged inside the Fine Arts Faculty of The Maharaja University of Baroda (a.k.a. Vadodara) and forced the police to arrest a resident student, Chandramohan in that faculty. He was arrested and sent to the jail for the crime of “obsence art.” This religious group claims that the student in question had caused pain to the religious sentiments of the Hindus by depicting Hindu God and Goddesses in a derogatory fashion through their creations.

The surprising fact is that the paintings of the student in question were not for public display. The paintings were arranged in one of the faculty rooms for the examiners assessment during the examination in the faculty. The student in question was held in police custody for 5 days before being released on bail. The dean, supported the student, and was suspended by the University immediately. In a public interview the dean broke down and said that this is a battle that needs reinforcements. The entire Arts fraternity in the country has shown solidarity and supported his stance. They have got together to lend their support to these student. More than a fight for “fair and just” treatment for these students, this is one for the artistic expression and freedom in the world’s largest democracy – India!

This issue disturbs me very much for a reason… I am an alumnus of the same university. I have fond memories of my alma mater. The fine arts department is one of the most prestigious in the country, where people from different parts of the country come to hone and learn the art of creative expression. While I was a student there, I had great regard for the department, and I got the feeling that I am in the midst of great thinkers and artists. To see the same place making headlines (for the wrong reasons!) enrages me.

Artistic expression needs to blossom without any restriction and/or attention. In the last few years, this extremist group has dictated its terms in the university. This group shows zero tolerance to other religions and resorts to violence frequently. Such “cultural policing” will definitely take its toll on the quality of artists and their creations in India. Creations cannot be done to please one group or another. It is done to express ones talent and ability and has to be “free flowing”.

India has been the land where majority of the religions have originated from. History books will reveal that the people of India have been extremely tolerant to “difference of opinion” especially in the case of religion. The teachings of Buddha are a case in point. Gautam Buddha’s (Siddhartha) preachings were very different from the ones taught in the mythological scriptures of Hindus. The people of India were so tolerant that they let people choose the religion of their choice.

Artists are in a limbo due to this incident. An artist is known by his creations and exhibitions are a must for this. The limelight makes the creations most accessible and vulnerable! Apparently an exhibition with a provocative name in a big city makes it more vulnerable to “moral police” attack.

In conclusion, I feel such extremists should never be allowed to have it “their way.” In a democracy every individual has a right to express oneself. I strongly feel that no intervention is needed to safe guard the sentiments of the people and the sanctity of the religion. God is so vast and pure. Religion (supposedly) gets one closer to God. Religion should bring people together not force them to bash up people. Furthermore, a religious and extremist group has no business interfering in the matter of an educational institute – its autonomy is at stake and we should do everything to save it from such vested interests.

References:

Art Controversy: Chandramohan speaks out
www.ndtv.com

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/15/stories/2007051515401200.htm

http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070511&fname=vadodaraart&sid=2