"I love my country. This is the greatest news," renowned painter M F Husain told NDTV adding "if the government wants to call him back... they can."
Husain was reacting to reports that the Indian government will drop all cases against him.
He also said that for the last four years, he had been dreaming of being back in India.
His wish could be granted as early as December 2009.
NDTV has learnt that the Home Ministry wants to minimise the legal hurdles that prevent the artist from coming back. Of the seven cases against him, only three still remain. The exact modalities are yet to be worked out.
Husain had left India after angry Hindu groups staged violent protests against his paintings of various deities, and slapped cases against him for hurting their religious sentiments.
Though the ministry wants to keep it under wraps, sources tell NDTV that cases against Husain could either be dropped or the ministry could refuse permission to prosecute him.
His lawyer feels the ministry's intervention will help. I think we cannot have a scenario where the investigations linger on. The police have to take a clear stand, one way or the other. If there is nothing against him, then all this should be brought to an end," says Husain's counsel Akhil Sibal.
Husain was reacting to reports that the Indian government will drop all cases against him.
He also said that for the last four years, he had been dreaming of being back in India.
His wish could be granted as early as December 2009.
NDTV has learnt that the Home Ministry wants to minimise the legal hurdles that prevent the artist from coming back. Of the seven cases against him, only three still remain. The exact modalities are yet to be worked out.
Husain had left India after angry Hindu groups staged violent protests against his paintings of various deities, and slapped cases against him for hurting their religious sentiments.
Though the ministry wants to keep it under wraps, sources tell NDTV that cases against Husain could either be dropped or the ministry could refuse permission to prosecute him.
His lawyer feels the ministry's intervention will help. I think we cannot have a scenario where the investigations linger on. The police have to take a clear stand, one way or the other. If there is nothing against him, then all this should be brought to an end," says Husain's counsel Akhil Sibal.
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