Got hurt! I am a Gandhian. I have faithfully read his Experiment with Truth and Luis Fischer's work on him. Friend Gautam has clarified that the character in the video is a comic look-alike of Mahatama Gandhi. This explanation does not make me happy.Is there no freedom of expression in the largest democratic country even after 60 years of colonial rule? Though Shabana Azmis are around to protect freedom of expression to all artists? I feel guilty of misunderstanding the divine form of expression!
 
I am hurt when I watch some famous paintings. Well, I am guilty again. Here are some paintings by the world a famous artist. I have been worshiping Saraswathi mata and Ganeshji since several years. Despite my best efforts I have not been able to realize the divine forms of Gods. It was so easy for Hussain Saheb to realize Gods. Some are lucky and famous and so lucky to get away. I am proud of all world famous personalities — because they are true  sons and daughters of Bharat mata. Do you know the world famous Namadev Randhir Indravadan's great grand father’s maternal uncle’s father studied in Poor Housing Colony High School, Srimathnagar?

I do not know what is wrong with me, Shabanaji. Perhaps, I belong to the majority who are very touchy and so, at the drop of the hat are provoked on such insignificant issues. The temples at Ajanta, Ellora, Bellur, Halebeedu and many other temples show various forms of Gods and Goddesses similar to these. The places and the number of such carvings at times increase or decrease. The places of such motifs change from inner circle of the temple to outer most walls. This means it was acceptable at one time and at the other time it was not.  This is the reason for small number of such carvings in some temples. I have not painted black tar on them. I do not want to re-write history.

I get hurt from Gautam's comic show because I never ever imagined Mahatma Gandhi can be depicted in such a fashion! Whether Friend Gautam intended it that way or not; it does not matter. He has caused hurt to many Indians like me.

This is where Shabanaji clans and fans should take the point. 'Your freedom ends when my nose begins!' The art  should make me more humane and should not hurt me. I do not advocate moral policing by Rastreeya Suddha Sena.  The artists should decide to themselves in what way they will help the common man to live a better life. Self-restraint in the works of art, in speeches and in  writings would go a long way to build a healthy society. This is the real meaning of freedom.

Goddess Saraswati	Mother Teresa
Goddess Lakshmi on Shree Ganesh's head	M.F. Hussain's Mother
Goddess Durga with tiger	Prophet's Daughter Fatima
Goddess Parvati	Hussain's Daughter
Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita and Ravana	Poets Faiz and Galib
A king and a brahmin	Bharatmata

After independence Rajaji was to assume Governor's post. In the mean time, the palace was taken over by people. He then referred to the fact that the people realizing that India was free, took possession of the Government House and in affection besieged their new Governor Rajaji. He would be glad if it meant only a token of the people’s power. But he would be sick and sorry if the people thought that they could do what they liked with the Government and other property. That would be criminal lawlessness. He hoped, therefore, that they had of their own accord vacated the Governor’s palace as readily as they had occupied it. He would warn the people that now that they were free, they would use the freedom with wise restraint. They should know that they were to treat the Europeans who stayed in India with the same regard as they would expect for themselves. They must know that they were masters of no one but of themselves. They must not compel anyone to do anything against his will.  [Calcutta, August 15, 1947)

Freedom was achieved long time  ago. Independence Day celebrations repeat the same way. In all government offices, flag hoisting and boring speeches continue.  I am patriotic and fancy such celebrations. When there is a friction or a cricket match with the neighbor country, I paint tricolor on my face and shout I LOVE INDIA till my voice gets shrill. Some times I run for the country for one or the other cause. You see, I am a terribly patriotic and responsive Indian. I believe "Mera Bharat Mahan" despite defeat in World Cup, despite Bhopal Gas tragedy and farmers' suicide.

On the  very first Independence Day the euphoria must have been too great. How did the Father of the nation spend his very first Independence Day?  "This letter I am dictating whilst I am spinning. You know, my way of celebrating great events, such as today’s, is to thank God for it and, therefore, to pray. This prayer must be accompanied by a fast, if the taking of fruit juices may be so described. And then as a mark of identification with the poor and dedication there must be spinning. Hence I must not be satisfied with the spinning I do every day, but I must do as much as is possible in consistence with my other appointments." (Letter to Agatha Harrison, Old Jordan's Hostel, Near Beacons field, Bucks, SW II, August 15, 1947)

Despite his fast walking style Mahatma Gandhi did not like demonstrations. To the Calcutta people who organized a demonstration of fraternization he said, "I am not lifted off my feet by these demonstrations of joy". (Talk to students of Calcutta, August 15, 1947).