Even members of SAHMAT, an NGO which has defended the artists' freedom and democratic values in the past, are remarkably guarded in their response. Their earlier fire-spewing sentiments on the artists' rights have been toned down this time.

Vivan Sundaram, one of the leading members of SAHMAT, gave a stock response: ``The intimidation is fascist in nature. This attack has crossed all barriers. They have intruded into a person's private space -- an artist's home. The state must to do something about this. This is becoming a kind of rallying action. They are targeting art and artists because they have no political agenda to pursue.''

A group of senior Delhi artists and galleryowners have made attempts to meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. At the very least, they want the State to issue a statement against the `anti-art hooligans'. However, the PM's absence from Delhi is proving a problem.

The Delhi art world feels responsible because the controversy was sparked off here. The painting was exhibited at the show curated by art critic Suneet Chopra at Aparna's (Caur) Gallery. A painter allegedly trying to settle a personal score with Chopra had gone to the Delhi unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and reported about Husain's work on Sita, done some 20 years back.

A scuffle between VHP activists and SAHMAT followed. Artist Jatin Das, who was present, was assaulted by the activists. Said Das, who's just back from an artists' camp in Hyderabad: ``Now I'm really sacred. It is a serious matter. If I say something, who will protect me? The Government will do nothing, the people are not bothered. When I was attacked, only the President of India sent a letter to SAHMAT, expressinghis concern. Nobody else even raised a finger. Nothing will happen to the persons who ransacked Husain's house in Mumbai.''

Jatin Das added, ``We are living in a sad country in a bad time. A country which does not take pride in the work of one of its greatest artist (meaning Husain). Instead of honouring him we drag him down to this level, making him prey to political mudslinging.''

Well-known Punjabi writer, Ajeet Cour, in whose academy Sita Rescued was originally exhibited a few months back, is similarly perturbed. Both Cour and her artist daughter Aparna, were also roughed up by VHP activists. They insist the controversy began in the Husain-Doshi Gufa in Ahmedabad, when Husain's Saraswati was burned down by the Bajrang Dal's moral brigade.

``A work of art cannot be seen through the myopic lens of religion. It's the expression of an artist's vision, not his religion. What if the works were done by some Hindu artist, would they behave in the same manner? They would not. They are doing this just becausehis name is Maqbul Fida Husain,'' says Cour. Arun Vadehra, the owner of the Vadehra Art Gallery and the main dealer of Husain's works in the country and abroad, feels completely demoralised. ``We are going to take the issue to the Prime Minister. Husainsaab is extremely hurt by all this."