If Husain returns, govt bound to provide him with security: Congress

Amid media reports about the offer of Qatar citizenship to noted painter MF Husain, Congress today said if the artist chooses to return to India, it is government's responsibility to provide him full security.

"MF Husain is a citizen of India. If he wants to come back, it is our responsibility as the government to provide him full security," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here, adding the government is "duty-ordained" to do so.

News about the Qatar nationality for the legendary artist was reported by The Hindu, which printed five lines written by Husain above a line sketch of a horse, his trademark.

Husain went in exile after a hate campaign was launched against him in 2006 over his controversial paintings.

Several cases were filed against him by people protesting his portrayal of Hindu goddesses in the nude. His house in India was attacked and art works vandalised by the fundamentalists.

Reacting to the development, Tewari said, "as an Indian I am very sad that he has to resort to even thinking about adopting an alternative nationality."

He at the same time maintained that the Congress and UPA are not responsible for the sufferings of Husain and said, "it's RSS and organisations related to it that had filed cases against him in the whole country."