[prpoint] Aseem Trivedi's arrest under sedition charges - Discussion

 

Hi all

Mr Aseem Triuvedi (28), a Kanpur based freelance cartoonist, published few cartoons in his website www.cartoonsagainstcorruption.com in support of IAC movement during the end of 2011.  Since the cartoons were alleged  to have been drawn defacing and denigrating the National Institutions like Parliament, the site was blocked by the Government.  At that time, a case was registered against him.

My meeting with Aseem Trivedi

At that time, Aseem Trivedi visited major centres to get support from the media persons  and opinion makers to defend freedom of expression in the internet.  In the process, he also met me few weeks back at my office, on the reference of some seniors.  

During my short meeting with him I observed a fire in his belly about the happenings in our country and he was passionate about using his cartoon skills to create awareness about anti corruption movement.  At that time, I knew only about one of his cartoons, replacing the four lions of national emblem with wolves.  Though I agreed with him on the responsible use of freedom of expression, i did not agree on his cartoon. 

Aseem arrested under sedition charges

A couple of days back, when I saw him on TV channels, i was surprised to find that he has been charged with 'sedition charges'.   Only persons like Kasab can be charged with sedition charges.  Recently, few people were arrested at Bangalore for sending objectionable SMS messages which triggered exodus of NE people from South.  I am told that those 'anti national' elements have not been charged with 'sedition charges'. 

Though the cartoons of Aseem Trivedi  are not published in any traditional print or visual media, they  are in circulation in the internet.  Since those cartoons are alleged to be objectionable, I am also not sharing the links of those cartoons with our members / readers.  I also caution members not to share the link with others, to avoid legal implications.  

Disputed four cartoons

Mr Aseem Trivedi is arrested mainly for drawing four cartoons.  I saw all the four cartoons.

Cartoon 1:  Four venomous wolves stand in place of King Asoka's Sarnath lions. Further, the inscription on the emblem reads "Bhrashtamev Jayate" (Long Live Corruption) instead of "Satyamev Jayate" (Long Live Truth).  Dharma Chakra is replaced with a skull.  Blood comes out of the mouth of wolves. 

Cartoon 2: Another cartoon depicts the Indian Parliament building as a toilet commode. At the right end of the cartoon, a little above the halfway line, there is a roller with toilet paper. To the left, there is a pink flush, attached to a commode below with three flies hovering over it. The commode looks like the Indian Parliament. 'National Toilet,' says the cartoon's title, with this line beneath the sketch: 'Isme istamal hone wale toilet paper ko ballot paper bhi kehte hain' (the toilet paper used here is also called Ballot paper).

Cartoon 3: Another cartoon features the "Mother India," wearing a tri-color sari.  The cartoon depicts politicians and bureaucrats holding the hands of 'Mother India' tightly to be raped by a character labeled "Corruption." The title of the cartoon is "Gang Rape of Mother India."  

Cartoon 4: Another cartoon shows politics and corruption in a sexual position to expose their immoral relationship. The line beneath the cartoon reads, "The immoral relationships are always harmful for a house hold."

Cartoon 1 and 2 disgrace the national emblems.  Cartoon 3 and 4 are highly 'disgusting'. Personally, I am pained by these four cartoons.   Since distribution of such cartoons are not legal, I am not sharing  the link.  The members who respond to this mail also are requested not to share the link, to avoid any legal implications.  I strongly hold the view that all the above cartoons are bad in taste, though the message he wants to communicate is right.   

Aseem Trivedi made an International Hero

Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 ,talk about insult to the National Flag, emblems and Constitution.  The Government is in order if they take action against Aseen Trivedi under the above acts,  In addition to this, they have charged him with 'sedition' under IPC.  There is no sedition involved in his act.  

Aseem could have been asked to apologise for denigrating the national emblem and institution.  Or the Court could have warned him with an imprisonment of one day, till the raise of the Court.  By this knee jerk reaction, the Government has made Aseem Trivedi an International Hero as a crusader of freedom of expression.  By adding 'sedition' charges, the Government has created more support for him, even from the Chairman of Press Council of India. 

When Aseem Trivedi was discussing with me, I could see that he was highly passionate and worried over the corruption in the system.  Probably, I think, he reflects the mood of many angry youth.   Since he was uploading his cartoons directly to his site and blog, he did not realise the implications.  If he were to submit these cartoons to a magazine, the Editor would have cautioned him.

Lack of good leadership 

Very sadly, India Against Corruption (IAC) seems to have exhibited all the above cartoons in public at Mumbai.  I do not understand as to how eminent lawyers in IAC allowed such cartoons in public display.  They should have educated Aseem Trivedi, instead of exposing him for legal risks for their emotional advantage.  It clearly indicates the lack of good leadership to guide the angry youngsters like Aseem Trivedi. These angry youngsters commit some actions with genuine intention  in emotions and get caught.  

Parliament is like a temple

Imagine a similar situation. When the administration is bad in a temple, 'deity or idol' in the sanctum or the temple have no role in the poor administration.  The administrators are to be blamed.  Same way, when there is a corruption in the governance, we cannot disrespect national emblems and national institutions. Parliament  and Constitution are like temple and deity.   Disgracing them amounts to disgracing the deity and  the temple for the fault of administrators. If  all the activists are fighting  to safeguard the Institutions like Parliament and Constitution, they have to be more careful and cautious.  

Freedom of expression is not absolute

As the Supreme Court cautions  repeatedly, freedom of expression is not absolute and is subject to restrictions.  In the name of anti corruption movement, I  find  many youngsters indulge in disgracing the national institutions and emblems.  

There is an urgent need for creating awareness about this.   

Srinivasan

Prime Point

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