SC slams cartoonist Hemant Malviya over ‘immature' post targeting PM Modi and RSS
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
The Supreme Court on Monday chided Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya for his "immature" cartoon that portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS in an "undignified" manner.A bench of justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar termed Malviya's conduct as "inflammatory" and "immature". The development took place during the hearing of an anticipatory bail plea filed by the cartoonist, who moved SC for relief after his plea was dismissed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on July 8."Still no maturity in him. It is indeed inflammatory," justice Dhulia verbally remarked. The court posted the matter for hearing on Tuesday.Malviya was booked in May this year over the Facebook post on the complaint of an RSS member. The cartoonist stands accused of offences under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 299 (insulting religion or religious beliefs), 302 (act with intent to wound religious feelings), 352 (insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 353 (mischief) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Thai woman extorts over Rs 100 crore by seducing, blackmailing Buddhist monks
A scandal of sex, money, and betrayal is shaking Thailand's Buddhist establishment to its core. At the centre of the controversy is a 30-year-old woman named Wilawan Emsawat from Nonthaburi province, who police say seduced senior monks engaging them in secret sexual relationships and then blackmailed them for millions to keep their vows of celibacy hidden from public view. What started as gossip in temple corridors has now exploded into a national scandal. At least nine abbots and senior monks have been disrobed and expelled from the monkhood, an institution respected by millions in this actively Buddhist nation. The Royal Thai Police say more names could follow as investigations open up. Wilawan was arrested on Tuesday at her home just north of Bangkok on multiple charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Authorities say they acted swiftly, fearing she could destroy evidence. Deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Jaroonkiat Pankaew said, 'this woman is dangerous and we needed to arrest her as soon as possible'. Police allege that Wilawan used romantic and sexual traps to manipulate monks into transferring large sums of money often taken from temple bank accounts, under the threat of public exposure. In one case, she allegedly claimed to be pregnant and demanded 7.2 million baht from a abbot who later fled the monkhood in disgrace. Digital forensics uncovered tens of thousands of photos, videos, and chats on Wilawan's phones evidence that could involve several more monks in Thailand. Investigators found over 385 million baht (over Rs 101 crore) had passed through her bank accounts over the past three years, much of it believed to have been spent on online gambling sites. 'She exploited their vulnerabilities… It's a betrayal not only of individuals but of public trust in our religious institutions' Jaroonkiat said. Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai has ordered a review of monk regulations and temple finances, calling for greater transparency to restore faith in Buddhism. Police have also set up a Facebook page inviting the public to report unethical behavior by monks, signaling what could be a long and reckoning for the clergy. Wilawan has remained silent since her arrest. She previously admitted to a single relationship in an interview before charges were filed, claiming she had given money to the monk involved. Her legal representation, if any, remains unclear.
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
Watch: TV anchor runs for life mid-telecast after Israel strikes hit Syria's State television in Suwayda
In a dramatic moment, a female TV anchor of the state media in central Damascus was seen fleeing mid-broadcast following an airstrike on Syria's military headquarters by Israel. The video of the incident went viral on social media after Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz shared it on X, writing, 'The painful blows have begun.' In the video, Katz stated the attack underscores Israel's intent to continue military pressure as long as Syrian forces withdraw from Suwayda – the Druze-majority region in southern Syria. Though a few media outlets claimed that the Israeli strikes targeted a Syrian state-run TV channel, Israel-based ILTV denied it, stating the Syrian TV anchor reacted to strikes on the defence ministry and Syrian army headquarters. Later Israel Katz issued a stern warning on social media. He took to X and wrote, "The warnings in Damascus have ended - now painful blows will come. The IDF will continue to operate forcefully in Suwayda to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until their complete withdrawal." "Our Druze brothers in Israel, you can rely on the Israel Defense Forces to protect your brothers in Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as Minister of Defense, have made a commitment - and we will uphold it," he added. Recently, Israel has started intervening in the ongoing clashes in Suwayda (also called Sweida) after fighting has broken out between the minority Druze community and various armed groups. Katz has assured the Druze community in Israel that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will act to protect their counterparts in Syria. Israel had launched a series of powerful strikes on central Damascus, reported Reuters, adding that a thick smoke engulfed the city and a dense plume rose from the defence ministry. The report added that dozens have been killed this week in clashes around the southern city of Suwayda, as Druze fighters are fighting against government forces and Bedouin tribal members. In its response, Israel has launched repeated strikes and stated that it is being done to protect the Druze community.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Donald Trump signals over 10% tariffs in India-US trade deal framework
United States (US) President Donald Trump has said that a trade deal with India would be on the 'same line' as that with Indonesia, which will face a 19 per cent tariff – thus suggesting that India, too, may have to brace for tariffs exceeding the 10 per cent threshold under the proposed interim agreement. On Tuesday, Trump said the bilateral trade pact with Indonesia would result in tariff- and non-tariff-barrier-free access for US goods to the Indonesian market. In exchange, Indonesia will face a 19 per cent tariff on its exports to the US, down from the 32 per cent initially proposed last week. 'We have a couple of those deals that are going to be announced. India basically is working along that same line (as Indonesia). We're going to have access to India; and you have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn't go in. Now we're getting access because of what we're doing with the tariffs,' Trump told reporters. Trade economist Biswajit Dhar said the 10 per cent base tariff is likely to remain, and India should prepare for higher duties. 'I don't think the 10 per cent tariff will go away. That's the bottom line, with which Trump is negotiating. The rest is up to the President,' he said. 'We should get a deal which doesn't include our sensitive sectors, such as agriculture and dairy. We need to protect our main cereals and the (US) push for exporting GM (genetically modified) crops.' Ajay Srivastava, a former trade ministry official and founder of the Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), warned against rushed negotiations and emphasised the importance of transparency. India must negotiate transparently, guard against one-sided outcomes, and not succumb to pressure for quick, symbolic agreements that compromise its long-term economic interests, he said. 'India must insist on a jointly issued, written statement before acknowledging any agreement. Verbal assurances or informal understandings --especially those announced on social media -- are no substitute for formal, verified commitments.' A team of officials from New Delhi is currently in Washington to negotiate an interim trade agreement ahead of the August 1 deadline. India has been pressing for an exemption from Washington's proposed 26 per cent reciprocal tariff and the existing additional 10 per cent duty. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that as part of the deal, Indonesia has committed to buying $15 billion in US energy, $4.5 billion in American agricultural products, and 50 Boeing jets, including several 777s. 'For the first time ever, our ranchers, farmers, and fishermen will have complete and total market access to the Indonesian market of over 280 million people,' Trump wrote. 'If there is any transhipment from a higher tariff country, then that tariff will be added on to the tariff that Indonesia is paying,' he added.
