NEW DELHI, March 23: A court in central India has issued an arrest warrant for internationally acclaimed painter M. F. Husain for allegedly offending Hindus with his nude painting titled “Mother India,” media reported on Thursday.

Husain, a 90-year-old Muslim, had been ordered to appear in court after a Hindu activist filed a petition saying “Mother India” hurt Hindus’ sentiments.

The court in the city of Indore issued the warrant on Wednesday after Husain failed to appear, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

Mr Husain is one of India’s best-known living painters and has recently sold some of his works for millions of US dollars.

He has raised Hindus’ ire in the past with his nude series depicting Hindu gods.

The court also rejected a request by Mr Husain’s lawyers to transfer the case to the capital, New Delhi. The lawyers said Mr Husain faced threats to his life in Indore, Press Trust of India reported.—AP