Suspected Hindutva activists on Thursday night hurled stones at the home of an artist in Kerala who had drawn cartoons to protest against the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district.
Durga Malathi said she had also received death and rape threats and abuse on social media. In a Facebook post, she said the windshield of a jeep parked in front of her home in Palakkad district was damaged by the stone-pelters.
Malathi told the Mumbai Mirror that her friends who had shared the cartoon and supported her had also been harassed on social media. “We are subjected to online sexual harassment,” she said. “Not only was I but also my friends who have commented in favour of my cartoon also targeted.” The artist said she has filed a police complaint.
“Last night, they hurled stones at my house,” Malathi said in a Facebook post. “My vehicle’s windshield broke. Pattambi police visited last night. My Facebook profile has been filled with abuses, rape and murder threats. What wrong have I done? I drew pictures against those who raped a young child. It wasn’t against any religion and I had made this clear through Facebook posts.”
The artist said that she has to keep reminding herself that she lives in a democratic country. “If I do not get justice, then I will have to start believing that democracy is a big lie.”
The Hyderabad Police on Monday filed a case against a journalist for allegedly insulting devotees of lord Ram and hurting the sentiments of Hindus with a cartoon on her Facebook page. Swathi Vadlamudi had posted the cartoon on her Facebook page in protest against the rape cases in Kathua and Unnao.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!