Well known painter Maqbool Fida Husain is very touched by the offer from emirate's rulers who are ready to count him as one of their own citizens, even when the painter never considered asking for Qatari nationality.

It was informed by his son Mustafa, that his father is very impressed by Qatar's gesture. However, many from the art fraternity are of the viewpoint that the self-exiled artist, who turns 95 this year, will not take up Qatar nationality.

The recent development has given rise to one question that is whether the great artist feels safer in Qatar than in India?

Born in Pandharpur in Maharashtra state, M. F. Hussain has given a lot to India in the field of Art. The acclaimed painter had to leave his country of birth in 2006, when right wing activists took umbrage at some of his paintings and galleries showcasing his work were vandalised.

In 2006, the controversy against Husain went to another level, when Husain had to face the hurting sentiments of people with his nude portraits of Hindu deities.

"Then began the game of competitive intolerance, with cases filed under section 295 of the Indian Penal Code, which outlaws insulting religions and section 153 A, which deals with promoting enmity between groups," sad a close friend of Husain.