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By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Freedom of expression over says artist Jain Kamal

Mumbai: Veteran artist Jain Kamal believes that his fraternity lacks freedom of speech in today’s time. While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, he said, “Freedom for the artists no longer exists. Now, we are living in the times of dictatorship. If we don’t have freedom of expression, then it will be very difficult for the artists to survive. There should be purity in the expression of the artists, saints, scientists, and thinkers so that there is more positivity in society.” Jain is going to...

Freedom of expression over says artist Jain Kamal

Mumbai: Veteran artist Jain Kamal believes that his fraternity lacks freedom of speech in today’s time. While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, he said, “Freedom for the artists no longer exists. Now, we are living in the times of dictatorship. If we don’t have freedom of expression, then it will be very difficult for the artists to survive. There should be purity in the expression of the artists, saints, scientists, and thinkers so that there is more positivity in society.” Jain is going to exhibit his 50 years of work at the Jehangir Art Gallery from May 26 to June 1. The exhibition, ‘Retrospective’, will be inaugurated by Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The paintings are a translation of the Jain religious chanting of the Navkar Mantra. Jain said, “I have been working on these paintings for the past 50 years and have put in a great effort to convey to the world the message of peace and harmony using the Jainism chanting. Like a mother makes delicious food for her child, I have used words to create beautiful art for the people.” When asked what inspired him, he said, “I wanted to do something with words. So I thought why not use Gayatri mantra or Hanuman Chalisa but then I chose Navkar mantra which is a Jain mantra. I used the five lines of the mantras in my paintings. In the exhibition, you will get to see a ‘Picchi’ (a broom used as a symbol of non-violence and which the Jain monks use to brush away any small insect that comes in their way.)” Jain added, “Half of the threads attached to the Picchi are in Brahmi, and half of the Picchi are in Devanagari. I have combined the time of Jain God Rishabdev with today’s generation by using both languages. I have also painted ants dancing to show nonviolence preached by the religion.” The words are formed like a chain in concentric circles in one of the key paintings. Some paintings consist of lakhs of words depicting the Jain mantras. “In these paintings, you can find the entire world through the written mantras. They convey that everything is made by God and there lies nothing in the material world. We should not be proud of our possessions, as everything in the world belongs to Khuda. So be peaceful and spread peace.” He added, “I did not talk about religion, but the philosophy of peace that I want to spread to everyone. I planted the seed of a mantra and thoughts into my artwork, which is why it is unique and different.”

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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