Case against Indore cartoonist over obscene posts aimed at maligning RSS’s image

State: Madhya Pradesh

Year: 2025

Date: May 23, 2025

Source:

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indore-cartoonist-hemant-malviya-case-obscene-posts-aimed-maligning-rss-image-2729232-2025-05-23

Lawfare – General, Others

The Madhya Pradesh Police has filed a case against Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya for posting objectionable material online on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Lord Shiva.

The complaint, lodged by RSS member and lawyer Vinay Joshi, accused Malviya of deliberately sharing “offensive,” “indecent” and “obscene” content that allegedly targets Hindu religious sentiments.

Malviya, who identifies as an artist, cartoonist and wedding decorator on social media, often uses satire to comment on political and social issues. His Facebook account is filled with cartoons, videos and photos that often target the establishment.

…While an investigation is underway, Malviya has not yet been taken into custody.

Lawfare

Updated On: September 2, 2025

SC grants interim protection to MP cartoonist booked over ‘objectionable’ cartoon

Hemant Malviya was told to apologise and take down the objectionable post that led to the complaint against him.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted cartoonist Hemant Malviya interim protection from arrest in a case over his allegedly objectionable cartoon of PM Narendra Modi and the RSS, LiveLaw reported. The apex court, however, came down heavily on Malviya, calling the post “inflammatory”.

The cartoonist had approached the top court after the Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to grant him anticipatory bail on July 3.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar, however, reportedly said that if Malviya continued to share offensive posts, the Madhya Pradesh government was free to take action against him. The cartoonist was reportedly told to apologise and take down the objectionable post that led to the complaint against him.

Source:

https://www.newslaundry.com/2025/07/15/sc-grants-interim-protection-to-mp-cartoonist-terms-cartoon-inflammatory