India cartoonist Aseem Trivedi’s arrest sparks outrage
September 11th, 2012
(BBC) – The arrest of an Indian anti-corruption cartoonist on sedition charges has sparked widespread criticism.
Aseem Trivedi appeared in court in Mumbai and was remanded in custody until 24 September for cartoons allegedly mocking the constitution.
Mr Trivedi is demanding the charges be dropped. Many Indians see his arrest as an attack on freedom of expression.
The cartoonist has been participating in the anti-corruption movement led by campaigner Anna Hazare.
“As of now we demand sedition charges are dropped against him,” Mr Trivedi’s lawyer, Vijay Hiremath, said after Monday’s court hearing, AFP news agency reports.
“Obviously they don’t have a case so they should have dropped it instead of giving him judicial custody.”
