New Delhi - Renowned Indian painter Maqbool Fida Husain said he would return from voluntary exile after the Supreme Court dismissed cases of obscenity and offending religious feelings, news reports said Tuesday. Husain, 92, has been living in Dubai since 2006 since right-wing Hindu groups angered by his nude paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses filed cases against him in courts across India.
They accused Hussain of obscenity and hurting religious feelings, which are considered criminal offences in India.
A panel of judges headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan on Monday described one of Husain's controversial paintings - in which he depicted Bharat Mata, or Mother India, nude - as "a work of art," the daily Times of India reported.
"There are many such pictures, paintings and sculptures and some of them are in temples also," the court said in dismissing a petition filed by a Hindu activist.
The verdict came as a setback to Hindu activists and paved the way for the artist's return to his Mumbai home, the report said.
The petition had challenged the Delhi High Court's ruling in May, which overturned obscenity charges in three cases against Husain.
In upholding that judgment, the Supreme Court also dismissed the argument that Husain was taking advantage of his age and reputation to get away with the law by painting obscene pictures.
Speaking to the Times from Dubai, Husain thanked the court and said he was looking forward to returning home.
"The Supreme Court has shown it is actually supreme," said Husain, who turns 93 on September 17. "What a great gift.
"At last they have understood the dignity of Indian contemporary art. This is not a victory for me only but one for the Indian contemporary art movement," he added.
The cases against Husain were brought after widespread protests by Hindu groups against the paintings in 2006.
Husain later publicly apologized for the Bharat Mata painting and said he would withdraw it from a charity auction.
Husain, considered by many to be India's most famous contemporary artist, has been living in exile for fear of being arrested in India.
It was not the first time the painter provoked the ire of Hindu activists. He sparked protests in the 1990s when he painted a series of nude Hindu goddesses, and several court cases were filed against him then as well.
