SC Grants Full Protection to Indore Cartoonist Over ‘Objectionable’ Cartoons on PM Modi, RSS

Quick Summary

• The Supreme Court granted absolute protection from arrest to cartoonist Hemant Malviya in a case concerning “objectionable” cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• Mr. Malviya complied with a court directive to post apologies on his social media accounts, which was noted by the Bench.
• The case’s FIR was filed in May 2025 by RSS worker Vinay Joshi, claiming that the cartoons hurt Hindu religious sentiments and disturbed communal harmony.Some posts also involved remarks on Lord Shiva.
• Additional Solicitor General K.M. nataraj stated Mr. Malviya would be summoned for questioning after evidence collection but declined to request an affidavit confirming his apology.
• On July 3, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had previously denied anticipatory bail, citing misuse of freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of India’s Constitution.
• The Supreme Court had earlier provided interim protection on July 15, while emphasizing concerns regarding offensive online content.

Indian Opinion analysis

This case reflects ongoing judicial challenges in balancing freedom of speech with issues such as religious sentiments and communal harmony.The decision highlights how public expressions-especially on sensitive topics-are subject to scrutiny under constitutional limits like Article 19(1)(a). Hemant Malviya’s apology seems critical here for securing relief from arrest while addressing accusations stemming from alleged offensive depictions.

The Supreme Court’s focus also points towards broader regulatory questions concerning harmful or disrespectful online content. As social media increasingly becomes a platform for political and societal commentary, cases like this underline its dual nature: fostering free interaction while occasionally triggering legal conflicts due to perceived offense against communities or individuals. Judicial intervention may continue playing an active role in shaping these boundaries.

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