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"Inflammatory": Supreme Court Slams Cartoonist Hemant Malviya's Caricature About PM Modi, RSS
INDIA, JUL 14 – The Supreme Court highlighted misuse of free speech in a case involving alleged offensive cartoons targeting PM Modi and RSS, with legal provisions cited for communal harmony.
- On July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court reprimanded Hemant Malviya, a cartoonist from Indore, for sharing a controversial caricature involving Prime Minister Modi and the RSS, describing his actions as provocative and immature.
- The case originated when Malviya shared a 2021 cartoon that a social media user had reposted on May 1, 2025, accompanied by remarks connecting it to issues surrounding the caste census and Waqf; Malviya reshared the post to highlight that his work is available for public use and interpretation.
- In May 2025, Malviya was charged under several sections related to promoting communal disharmony and outrage against religious feelings from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as under the Information Technology Act, following allegations that he posted content that offended religious sentiments and disturbed communal peace.
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court denied Malviya anticipatory bail on July 3, stating his caricature misused freedom of speech and warranted custodial interrogation, while the Supreme Court called his conduct 'inflammatory' and lacking maturity.
- The courts will continue hearing the matter, with the Supreme Court emphasizing that freedom of speech is being abused in this case and Malviya offered to delete the post amid allegations of social disharmony.
16 Articles
16 Articles
SC Grants Interim Protection to Cartoonist Booked over Caricature of PM, RSS
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection from arrest to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya for his objectionable caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). India News | SC Grants Interim Protection to Cartoonist Booked over Caricature of PM, RSS.
‘Inflammatory, immature’: Cartoonist deletes caricature of PM Modi and RSS after Supreme Court’s rebuke
Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Malviya, said the cartoonist will delete the post and make a statement that he was not endorsing the objectionable comments
‘Comedians, cartoonists…look at their conduct’: SC terms Madhya Pradesh cartoonist’s post on Modi and RSS workers ‘inflammatory’
Cartoonist Hemant Malviya approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court order denying him anticipatory bail in a case related to his 2021 cartoon about Covid vaccines.
SC rebukes cartoonist for ‘inflammatory’ caricature of PM and RSS; no immediate relief - The Statesman
A bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Aravind Kumar, while hearing Malviya’s plea for anticipatory bail, observed sharply: “Cartoonists, comedians, etc., must reflect on their conduct.”
'Objectionable' cartoons on PM, RSS an abuse of free speech, says SC
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said the right of freedom of speech and expression was being “abused” while hearing the plea of a cartoonist accused of sharing alleged objectionable cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS workers on social media. “Why do you do all this?” a bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar asked the counsel of cartoonist Hemant Malviya, who sought anticipatory bail in the matter. Advocate Vrin…
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