The artist also distanced himself from a statement issued by the Mumbai-based Pen All-India Centre signed by renowned writers like Jerry Pinto, Ranjit Hoskote and Naresh Fernandes, which claimed that 'the attacks on cultural expression come at a very sensitive moment in Goa's history. They gain urgency when viewed against the backdrop of escalating suspicion of, and violence against, the state's Muslim population'.

Kerkar said: 'I do not directly subscribe to the views of Pen All-India Center. But such activities create a preparatory ground for terrorism,' Kerkar said.

Earlier this week, Kerkar in his complaint filed before the Calangute police station had said he was threatened by unknown people who had asked him to withdraw his Ganesh exhibition or face death.

On the other hand, in two separate complaints, right wing groups had claimed that Kerkar's 'obscene' portrayal of Lord Ganesh amounted to denigration of Hindu religion and offended the feelings of Hindus in Goa who revere the deity.