London, Engladn - An exhibition here of noted Indian artist M.F. Hussain's paintings has been cancelled following protests from Britian-based Hindu organisations against the depiction of some mythological figures in his works.
Asia House, the organisers of the exhibition, however, cited "security" reasons for the cancellation.
The Hindu Forum of Britain had alleged that the paintings had outraged Hindus across the world, and had planned a protest Saturday outside the venue.
The exhibition, inaugurated by Indian high commissioner Kamalesh Sharma, had begun May 10 and was to remain open until Aug 5.
Noted economist Lord Meghnad Desai criticised the Forum for exerting pressure to cancel the exhibition and said that it amounted to "an outrageous attack on artistic freedom in the British context".
"The exhibition depicting Hindu deities in nude is already causing considerable offence to many of Britain's 700,000 Hindus," Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the Forum had said.