New Delhi:
Iconic, controversial and in exile - M F Husain has often declared that he wants to come back to India.
His wish could be granted as early as December 2009.
NDTV has learnt that the Home Ministry wants to minimise the legal hurdles that prevent the artist from coming back. Of the seven cases against him, only three still remain. The exact modalities are yet to be worked out.
Husain had left India after angry Hindu groups staged violent protests against his paintings of various deities, and slapped cases against him for hurting their religious sentiments.
Though the ministry wants to keep it under wraps, sources tell NDTV that cases against Husain could either be dropped or the ministry could refuse permission to prosecute him.
His lawyer feels the ministry's intervention will help. I think we cannot have a scenario where the investigations linger on. The police has to take a clear stand, one way or the other. If there is nothing against him, then all this should be brought to an end," says Husain's counsel Akhil Sibal.
While the ministry might be doing its bit to bring back the 94-year-old painter, the big question is - will the Hindu groups relent?
His wish could be granted as early as December 2009.
NDTV has learnt that the Home Ministry wants to minimise the legal hurdles that prevent the artist from coming back. Of the seven cases against him, only three still remain. The exact modalities are yet to be worked out.
Husain had left India after angry Hindu groups staged violent protests against his paintings of various deities, and slapped cases against him for hurting their religious sentiments.
Though the ministry wants to keep it under wraps, sources tell NDTV that cases against Husain could either be dropped or the ministry could refuse permission to prosecute him.
His lawyer feels the ministry's intervention will help. I think we cannot have a scenario where the investigations linger on. The police has to take a clear stand, one way or the other. If there is nothing against him, then all this should be brought to an end," says Husain's counsel Akhil Sibal.
While the ministry might be doing its bit to bring back the 94-year-old painter, the big question is - will the Hindu groups relent?
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