Chennai, January 22: The Loyola College of Chennai, under flak over the "derogatory" paintings depicting the Centre-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and symbols of majoritarian culture and religion, issued a note of apology.

Expressing regret, the college said it did not intend to provoke any particular group or community through the art exhibition at its campus, held on January 19 and 20. 'Derogatory' Paintings of Bharat Mata, RSS, PM Modi at Chennai's Loyola College; BJP Calls Them Anti-Hindu.

The institute, which will complete a century in about six years said it was deeply pained, saddened and anguished that its venue for a cultural event "Veethi Virudhu Vizha".

The college said its "illustrious and pluralistic campus was used for derogative exhibits against a particular religious group, social institution, political party and the country's leadership".

A statement from the college's Art and Literary Unit Coordinator, Kaleeswaran said that the offensive exhibits were removed immediately, the moment it was brought to their notice.

"We acknowledge our lapse and sincerely apologise for the insurmountable hurt this has caused," he added.

BJP and other right-wing outfits had strongly objected to the paintings which had portrayed the trishul, a symbol of Hinduism and 'Bharat Mata', in an inappropriate manner.

While one of the exhibit featured the trishul in a painting related to violence against women, another alleged that Modi was a hegemonic and to further draw home the point likened him to a Hindu deity.

Police complaints were also registered by the BJP and Hindu outfits

against the "anti-Hindu and anti-national" paintings, that also had a strong political undercurrent against the saffron party.

"Why there is no condemnatory statement from any of the leaders here... Is hurting Hindu sentiments acceptable to you?," BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned the ruling AIADMK government in the state.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2019 12:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).