Surendhra Kumar alias Cartoonist Varma, belonging to Vizhupuram district in Tamil Nadu, was arrested on Monday for his depiction of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, that makes reference to the leader being soft on the DMK over their comments on Dalits.
The complaint filed by Ilavarasan, a VCK party worker, has the cartoonist booked under Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 67 (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of The Information Technology Act, 2000.
The arrest of the cartoonist is also said to have been called by Mr. Jawahirulla of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi. The cartoonist on Sunday, tweeted that Mr. Jawahirullah was interested in getting him arrested for his cartoon on Tablighi Jihadists and that Jawahirullah was getting his revenge through the cartoon criticizing Thirumavalavan.
On May 13, speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Secretary to submit the petitions received under DMK propaganda manner “Ondrinaivom Vaa”, Dayanidhi Maran said “Engalai moondram thara makkal pol nadathinaargal. Naangal enna thaazhthapatta aatkala?”(They treated us like third-class people. What are we? Depressed class people?)”
Leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Thol. Thirumavalavan went soft on its alliance partner saying “The DMK leaders were right in expressing their anguish against the Chief Secretary. However, the comment about Dalits is shocking. Even though there is no intention behind the comment, this has affected the minds and heart of their partners.”
Many have called the arrest of the cartoonist as an assault on freedom of expression. Netizens were quick to call out the double standards shown and demanded the release of Cartoonist Varma.
So much so for democracy. Freedom of expression is ingrained in our constitution and it is unfortunate that in India some in the establishment deny this fundamental right. #Release_cartoonist_varma
— Ganesh Arunadann (@Arunadann) May 18, 2020
First 3 Cartoons are Freedom of Expression,
But,
4th one was Against Freedom Of Expression.என்னங்கடா உங்க நியாம்.#Release_cartoonist_varma #Vck_Against_FreedomofExpression pic.twitter.com/jMaRKN42t1
— Vimal Varman (@RathinamVimal) May 18, 2020
தனக்கு வரும் போது ரத்தமாகவும் மற்றவருக்கு வரும் போது தக்காளி சட்னியாகவும் பார்ப்பதே இந்த முரட்டு போராளிகளின் செயல்பாடு. சினிமா, ஓவியம், பாடல் அனைத்திலும் அனைவருக்கும் கருத்துரிமை சமம் என புரிந்து அடுத்த அடி எடுத்து வையுங்கள்.. இல்லையென்றால் மறு அடி இன்னும் ரணத்தை ஏற்படுத்தலாம்.. pic.twitter.com/OskKyUshAt
— Mohan G 🔥❤️ (@mohandreamer) May 18, 2020