Will MF Husain’s humiliation hurt our image internationally?

Government should have stood by him
Till date the government has not taken a stand on this issue at all. This shows that the government doesn’t bother about the great artist or perhaps they are afraid of some reaction from fundamentalists. In the future, if some organisation honours him, then we will be the first to ‘reclaim’ him. The Indian government is surely responsible for hounding away Husain.                     
Kunal Sejpal

Let him be at peace wherever he is
Many are of the opinion that we should make an exception and grant Husain dual citizenship, but this will lead to more controversy. He has taken a decision so we should let him stay peacefully wherever he feels at ease. But this will encourage extremists to continue targeting people and have their say. His paintings offended people and he should have been more responsible.     
Yesha B

Don’t let forces of intolerance prevail
It is sad that Husain, a prolific painter, chose to give up his Indian nationality. Another writer Taslima Nasreen also couldn’t get Indian citizenship following her struggle with a small group of hardliners. Both are victims of fundamentalists. A celebrity of international fame being denied Indian citizenship and another harassed at the time of extending her visa, speaks volumes of the hollowness of the government’s secularism.   
Sayyad Naqvi

Not right to treat a great artist shabbily
What’s the point discussing it now, when MF Husain has already accepted citizenship of Qatar and decided to move on? It’s a great loss to India, but for how long can one expect a 95-year-old to wait for decent treatment from his home country? I don’t think there is any space for freedom of speech for artists or even filmmakers these days.
Mitesh Bora

His choice of country is surprising
It’s sad that the Picasso of India has been meted such treatment. However now that he has taken a decision his well wishers seem to have been roused from their reverie. Such an incident will tarnish India’s image and prove that we are intolerant. Also surprising is that Husain has taken citizenship of a country like Qatar which doesn’t offer much freedom of expression.    
Amita Mehta