M.F. Husain may have saved his and Madhuri Dixit's film, Gajgamini, from the Shiv Sena's wrath by tendering an apology for the controversial painting of Sita and Hanuman, but neither he nor the intellectual  community which had backed him vociferously has emerged creditably from the episode.

For almost two years the country was rocked by the controversy over the nude painting which was hailed by Husain's admirers as being of high artistic taste. There were protests and counter-protests. Mumbai witnessed violence by Sena supporters. Many people really believed that the distinguished painter was the victim of a smear campaign.

Now, all of a sudden, Husain has apologised to the Sena for hurting Hindu sentiments ... Why did he keep silent for such a long time? Had he made the clarification when the controversy first erupted, it would not have gathered momentum. ... The pro-Husain intellectuals are equally guilty of whipping up communal feelings. As for the painter, he has emerged as a moral coward whatever.