Trivedi hailed as Mangal Pandey of Independence

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‘We are with you’ and ‘Release Aseem Trivedi’ were the buzzwords on the Internet social media networks in response to the arrest of political cartoonist Aseem Trivedi for his cartoons against corruption.

Netizens threw open challenges to Mumbai police like ‘I shared his cartoon, arrest me too’ with some of his FB fans deified him as “Azadi ki 2nd ladai ka Mangal Pandey” (Mangal Pandey of second war of independence).

Voices of dissent were also heard in the local cartoonist community. Condemning the move as a curb on freedom of expression, T. Veerasamy, cartoonist with Theekadir, said, “It sets a bad precedent to arrest someone for exercising his basic freedom of speech and thought.”

Renowned cartoonist Bala chimed in, “A cartoonist cannot denigrate or desecrate national symbols as much as politicians do and, hence, the arrest is condemnable.”

Another Chennai-based cartoonist, Biswajit Balasubramanian, felt strongly about curbing creativity. “However, when some people sometimes misuse their creativity, there is a need for restraint on both sides.”

Artist Kalaimathi is also of the view that there is lack of tolerance among politicians. “Healthy criticism is needed for the growth of the country and we have always been a country open to criticism. It is only of late that we have become so intolerant,” he said.

“Boot this government from power and put the politicians behind bars,” posted Sudhakaran Srinivasan.