SAHMAT condemns VHP attack on Pakistani artists' work

The Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) and Communalism Combat magazine Saturday condemned the attack by VHP activists on an art gallery in Ahmedabad that was displaying works of both Pakistani and Indian artists.

"Strong-arm tactics of this nature against the creative community cannot be tolerated in any measure. We demand that the concerned authorities arrest the perpetrators of the crime without any delay," a SAHMAT-Communalism Combat joint statement said.

Fifteen members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Friday evening stormed into the gallery at Amdavad Ni Gufa in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and destroyed about 30 paintings that were on exhibition under the title "An Art Affair".

The destruction of the paintings comes close on the heels of aggravated tensions between India and Pakistan, after the recent violations by Pakistan of the November 2003 ceasefire between the two countries.

Five Indian soldiers were killed Aug 6 after Pakistani troops ambushed them after sneaking across the border in Jammu and Kashmir.

Early this month, Pakistani singer Sanam Marvi's performance of Sufi music in New Delhi was also cancelled in the wake of escalated tension between the two countries.