UNESCO Defends Nepali Artist Facing Death Threats

THE HIMILAYAN

A painting by Nepali artist Manish Harijan depicting a fusion of 
Hindu Goddess dressed as Western superhero Supergirl showing her middle finger.

INDIA--Death threats against a Nepali artist has prompted UNESCO to raise an alarm on Wednesday. Manish Harijan’s paintings which are currently on display at an art gallery in the capital depict Hindu deities and Western superheroes, which prompted death threats to be issued against the artist. Axel Plathe, Head of the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu declared “The right to freedom of expression must also apply to artistic expression. Tension that may arise between artistic creation and religious and ethical values should be openly discussed instead of becoming subject of intimidation or even death threat to the artist.”[link]