Supreme Court Criticizes Cartoonist Hemant Malviya for Sharing Objectionable Cartoons

• The Supreme Court criticized Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya for sharing “objectionable” cartoons about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on social media.

• Malviya was arrested after his 2021 cartoons resurfaced online.

• The State High Court had refused to grant Malviya relief on July 3, forcing him to approach the top court.

• Advocate Vrinda Grover for Malviya argued that criticism or a critical bent of mind is not a crime and offered to delete the posts.

• Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj defended the court, stating that people resort to abusive language on social media to become “heroes.”

• A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant condemned social media comedians for “abusing freedom of speech and expression” through insensitive jokes about persons with disabilities.