Today, a Jadavpur University Chemistry professor was arrested for allegedly posting a cartoon on the internet lampooning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Mukul Roy. This action is highly atrocious and a big assault on the freedom of expression. Later, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also defended the arrest and blamed the opposition for raising trivial issues to malign her image. There are protests and outrage throughout the nation. I have translated the cartoon from Bengali to English. This cartoon is a spoof on the dialogues from the film Sonar Kella by Satyajit Ray. The movie is based on the story of Mukul, a kid who recalls his past life including a golden fortress (sonar kella).
Two goons kidnap Mukul as they hope to unearth the treasure from the house. In their bid, they attempt to murder a psychiatrist Dr Hajra, who is accompanying Mukul to Rajasthan to find out truths about his past life. The cartoon is based on a particular scene in the film where one of the goons (played by Kamu Mukherjee) pushes Dr Hajra from a cliff while the other goon starts impersonating Dr Hajra thereafter. When Mukul asks about the original Dr Hajra, the goons tell him that he was a dushtu lok (a bad person), hence was made to vanish.
Now see this cartoon and appreciate the creativity and brilliance of the Professor.
Didn’t understand a thing .. why is this derogatory or even funny… I think Mamta is next hitler or acting like one.
One thing is clear from the recent Kolkata Cartoon controversy, whenever politicians such as Mamata Banerjee, Kapil Sibal try any attempt to subvert idea of free speech and expression in this country through their dictatorial policies and decision, the people of India will never tolerate them. Thousands of Twitter users defied Mamata Banerjee and her government by tweeting Arrest Me Now!