Cartoonists have drawn more cartoons criticising the Supreme Court of India in response to the Contempt of Court case against the Sanitary Panels cartoonist.
Social media cartoonist Rachita Taneja aka Sanitary Panels was accused of 'contempt of court'. As per a Bar and Bench report, on 1st December 2020, Attorney General KK Venugopal gave his consent to initiate the proceedings of the case at the request of a law student Aditya Kashyap. The AG has mentioned in a letter that the cartoons depict that the "Supreme Court of India was biased towards the ruling party".
Cartoonist Rachita has been a vocal critic of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). She has drawn various cartoons criticising the decisions taken by the current government. In a recent cartoon, Rachita criticised the interim bail granted to Republic Media Network editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami by SC. In the cartoon, a reporter standing with BJP and SC says, "Tu Janta Nahi Mera Baap Kaun Hai (you don't know who my father is)."
#ArnabGowswami pic.twitter.com/cuyj8AweNG
— Sanitary Panels (@sanitarypanels) November 12, 2020
In another cartoon, a saffron flag has been placed on the top of the Court and it has been titled "SANGHI COURT OF INDIA". The caption with the cartoon reads, "Arnab gets bail, real journalists get jail, independent judiciary is fail."
Arnab gets bail, real journalists get jail, independent judiciary is fail. pic.twitter.com/GQbzyeHYGk
— Sanitary Panels (@sanitarypanels) November 11, 2020
However, this has agitated the cartoonist community who view this as an attack on freedom of speech. Several cartoonists have drawn cartoons in favour of Rachita, criticising the Supreme Court. Stating "In solidarity with @sanitarypanels" on social media platforms, many cartoonists have expressed that an attack on one of them is an attack on all of them.
Here are some of the artworks drawn in favour of Rachita's art:
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels, and in opposition to the Attorney-General’s absurd use of contempt laws. pic.twitter.com/PfId1i4kzk
— Pen Pencil (@penpencildraw) December 1, 2020
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels
— d (@dikshnxry) December 2, 2020
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/7uoy1Uipbm
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels
— Sumit Kumar ✏️ 🗯️ (@sumitdrew) December 2, 2020
Cartoonists se nahi lete panga, kabh samjhegi duniya.#sanitarypanels pic.twitter.com/M4EuYvbc5D
Attack on one of us is Attack on all of us.
— AnuRag / अनुराग (@rag9704) December 2, 2020
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels #dissent pic.twitter.com/khuCZtRjYY
Cartoonist se panga nahi lene ka, Cartoonist will draw you.
— kamran akhter (@ka_akhter) December 2, 2020
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In solidarity with @sanitarypanels
.#sanitarypanels #ContemptofCourt pic.twitter.com/yJXwJerrAl
No bhakts were hurt in the making of this comic but can't promise they won't be butthurt after seeing this.
— misfit_medusa (@misfitmedusa) December 2, 2020
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels
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.#dissent #politicalcartoons #sanitarypanels #insolidarity https://t.co/jktuOElpi5 pic.twitter.com/Nkeo4E4Ozq
we come in peace https://t.co/THKp2K8Jt7
— aroop mishra (@aroop_mishra) December 2, 2020
In solidarity with my friend & satirist Rachita , the creator of @sanitarypanels against whom a charge of contempt has been approved by the #AttorneyGeneral. A matter of time before they come for the rest of us. The rest of you, continue to clap your hands and sing to the lord! pic.twitter.com/lvpo5O7nV7
— Green Humour (@thetoonguy) December 2, 2020
Some superheroes have the superpower to piss the fascists off with thought-provoking stick figures. Here’s to the hero we all look up to. In solidarity with @sanitarypanels for always speaking her mind and challenging the status quo. pic.twitter.com/Hpqo6IxHgM
— smishdesigns (@smishdesigns) December 2, 2020
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels#sanitarypanels #supremecourtofindia https://t.co/oOpqdYnE6j pic.twitter.com/w539VjF89Y
— Bruised Vain (@rangeen_syahee) December 1, 2020
In solidarity with @sanitarypanels 💪
— PENCILASHAN (@pencilashan) December 2, 2020
From Prashant Bhushan to Kunal Kamra and now Rachita Taneja: The charge of contempt of court has fallen upon senior lawyers, stand-up comedians and now a webcomic creator.#sanitarypanels #india #saveindia #supremecourtofindia #indian pic.twitter.com/L0SWeTThml
What's your take on this controversy?