The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has demanded action against Assam-based artist Akram Hussain over his derogatory portrayal of Lord Krishna. This painting portrays Lord Krishna being surrounded by bikini-clad women in a bar, prompting uproar on social media. Netizens also drew parallels between the recent Bengaluru riots where a rioting Muslim mob took to street over an allegedly ‘offensive’ Facebook post on Prophet Muhammad.
This painting from 2015 resurfaced on social media, following which the ISKCON requested Assam chief minister and the state’s officials to take appropriate action against the painter for his offensive artwork.
In response to this tweet by the ISKCON, the state’s Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma replied in a tweet saying that action has already been taken against this painting, and it is no longer present in the State Art Gallery.
Notably, Akram has already faced massive backlash in the past for similar reasons. His painting depicting liquor bottles and undergarments flowing from the unfurling of the tricolour by Lord Krishna prompted an FIR to be booked in his name. The Assam branch of the All India Patriotic Forum had berated him for offending national and religious sentiments and accused him of dishonouring the national flag.
We request @CMOfficeAssam @sarbanandsonwal ji @himantabiswa ji to take strict action against Assam based Akram Hussain for this offensive post. https://t.co/dgLZGUh0T0
— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) August 17, 2020
We have resolved this issue long back. Now no such picture is there in Art Gallery. https://t.co/nmnJgjBbCc
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 17, 2020