Nakhwa visited the gallery and claimed he found a framed painting depicting Goddess Mahakali and Lord Shiva in a semi-nude state with the words “Union for Peace” inscribed on it
Representational pic/iStock
A Mumbai-based lawyer has lodged a complaint against Gallery Maskara in Colaba, alleging that the art space displayed obscene and derogatory paintings of Hindu deities along with sexually explicit images of men and women, hurting religious sentiments.
According to complainant Advocate Vishal Lalchand Nakhwa, 45, a resident of Mandovi Koliwada near Masjid station, he received information through a WhatsApp group around 1 pm on Friday about controversial artwork being exhibited at the gallery, located at 03 Pasta Lane, Colaba.
Nakhwa visited the gallery and claimed he found a framed painting depicting Goddess Mahakali and Lord Shiva in a semi-nude state with the words “Union for Peace” inscribed on it. Several other photographs of nude men and women in sexual positions were also on display. He further pointed out that there was no warning board prohibiting entry to minors below 18 years.
“When I questioned the staff about why such objectionable paintings of Hindu deities were put up and why the exhibition was titled in this manner, they said the work reflected the artist’s perspective. They identified the artist as T Vaikanna,” Nakhwa said in his statement.
‘Told to leave’
The complainant alleged that when he raised objections, the gallery staff told him to leave, saying they had to break for lunch, and locked themselves inside. He then called fellow advocate Madan Shrikrishna Reddy, who also confirmed the locked gallery and subsequently dialled the police helpline 100. A police team soon reached the spot.
Later, Nakhwa approached the Colaba police station and filed a formal complaint against gallery owner Abhay Maskara and artist T Vaikanna for displaying obscene paintings of Hindu deities in public, thereby outraging religious sentiments.
The Colaba police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS Act and initiated further inquiry.
Cops deployed at gallery
According to sources, the images and photos of the gallery went viral and a large no. of police are deployed outside the gallery.
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