Mob vandalises Ahmedabad art exhibition, tears down paintings
Express news service : Ahmedabad, Sat Aug 17 2013
A group of 20 persons vandalised an art exhibition at Amdavad ni Gufa in Ahmedabad on Friday afternoon. The group tore down more than two dozen paintings belonging to celebrated artists hailing from both India and Pakistan.
It is being alleged that a group of "right wing" activists was behind the act. However, no organisation has so far claimed responsibilities. The art gallery was designed by well-known painter M F Hussain and the city's noted architect B V Doshi.
The exhibition was organised by Mumbai-based International Creative Art Centre (ICAC). Gallery in-charge Vipul Prajapati said, "About 15 to 20 men, shouting slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram', entered the gallery and started damaging the paintings. I have no idea who these people were, but they targeted the whole gallery, damaging paintings, glass panes, as well as furniture."
The exhibition, inaugurated on Tuesday, was scheduled to conclude this weekend. While interacting with mediapersons, Ravindra Maradia, who is associated with ICAC, said the organisers recieved no warnings in this connection.
"I think that due to the recent incidents between India and Pakistan on the Line of Control, some people could have targeted the exhibition. The same exhibition was held in Mumbai a year ago, but there was no problem at all," he added.
No police complaint was lodged till late in the evening, while Gujarat University Police Inspector V M Selar said that organizers have not asked for any sort of protection.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-1, Virendra Singh Yadav, however, said that police are looking into the incident.
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http://www.firstpost.com/india/ahmedabad-alleged-vhp-supporters-vandalise-pak-artists-paintings-in-art-gallery-1039523.html
Ahmedabad: Alleged VHP supporters vandalise Pak artists’ paintings in art gallery
Aug 16, 2013 Ahmedabad: An art gallery exhibiting works by Pakistani artists was vandalised today by alleged VHP activists, who tore all the paintings and ransacked furniture.
Around 20 people were involved in the vandalism at Amdavad-ni-Gufa, witnesses said.
“How can paintings of Pakistani artists be allowed to be on display here when that country is beheading and killing our soldiers, waging a proxy war,” VHP Gujarat unit general secretary Ranchhod Bharvad told PTI.
Evading a question on whether VHP activists had ransacked the gallery and torn paintings, he said, “Our workers went there and registered a strong protest.”
Exhibition organiser Raveendra Maradia said, “Some people came and vandalised the exhibition. They even tore paintings by Indian artists. I don’t know if they were from VHP or Bajrang Dal, but I am sure that they were anti-social elements.”
Amdavad-ni-Gufa is an art gallery established jointly by the late M F Husain and noted architect B V
Doshi. Seventeen paintings were on display since August 13, including 11 by Pakistani artists.
“The purpose of this exhibition was to showcase the development in art and artists of both countries for more than 60 years,” Maradia said.
A complaint was registered at the Gujarat University police station, he said.
PTI
Around 20 people were involved in the vandalism at Amdavad-ni-Gufa, witnesses said.
“How can paintings of Pakistani artists be allowed to be on display here when that country is beheading and killing our soldiers, waging a proxy war,” VHP Gujarat unit general secretary Ranchhod Bharvad told PTI.
VHP supporters allegedly targetted an art exhibition in Ahmedabad. The image of an eralier VHP protest is used for representational purposes only. AFP.
Exhibition organiser Raveendra Maradia said, “Some people came and vandalised the exhibition. They even tore paintings by Indian artists. I don’t know if they were from VHP or Bajrang Dal, but I am sure that they were anti-social elements.”
Amdavad-ni-Gufa is an art gallery established jointly by the late M F Husain and noted architect B V
Doshi. Seventeen paintings were on display since August 13, including 11 by Pakistani artists.
“The purpose of this exhibition was to showcase the development in art and artists of both countries for more than 60 years,” Maradia said.
A complaint was registered at the Gujarat University police station, he said.
PTI
