Satish Acharya's caricature 'insulting' Lord Ram, PM Modi sparks outrage; netizens demand cartoonist's arrest

By Sunita Iyer | First Published May 27, 2024, 2:22 PM IST

Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024, a caricature by renowned cartoonist Satish Acharya stirred up a storm on social media platforms, particularly X, formerly known as Twitter.

Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024, a caricature by renowned cartoonist Satish Acharya stirred up a storm on social media platforms, particularly X, formerly known as Twitter. The caricature depicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemingly asking Lord Ram, "Aap Kaun," from within the sacred confines of a temple.

The caricature sparked significant controversy, drawing criticism from many users who felt that Acharya was "mocking and insulting" both Lord Ram and PM Modi. Calls for the cartoonist to delete the artwork, issue a public apology and be arrested by police officials flooded social media platforms.

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Some individuals even appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah and the Election Commission of India to intervene, especially as the nation approaches the culmination of the Lok Sabha Elections, with vote counting scheduled for June 4, 2024.

Hey Bhagwan! pic.twitter.com/GG8xvCnSx2

— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya)

Acharya's cartoon emerged just two days after PM Modi expressed optimism about securing a third term, affirming his belief that he has a divine purpose to fulfill and vowing to persist until that mission is achieved.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, PM Modi said it is his duty to serve the people who believe in him. "You will find people who use the vilest abuses (for me), and you will also find people who say nice things. My duty is to ensure that people who express their faith are not hurt or disappointed," he said.

The Prime Minister added, "Some people may call me crazy, but I have full faith that God has sent me for a purpose. Once the purpose is accomplished, my work will also be done. That is why I have completely dedicated myself to God."

PM Modi also stated that God inspires him to do a lot of work, but does not reveal any big plans. "He (God) doesn't reveal his cards, he just keeps making me work. And I can't call him directly and ask him what will happen next," he said.

Here's a look at how netizens reacted to Satish Acharya's latest cartoon:

This is a distasteful post. Modi said he has a higher vision for the nation, which is like god sent message that alleviates poverty, ushers in reforms and instills happiness for the citizens.

This caricature insults by saying god ram does not recognise one of his… https://t.co/7uugiEAraK

— Ranjan Nanjappa 🇮🇳 “Modi’s Family” (@RanjanM6)

Hey you are lucky, he is "Bhagwan" not Allah. So you make fun of religious sentiments of over 1 billion people. Otherwise Kamlesh Tiwari was Killed for a less offensive thing. https://t.co/m2KdJ9yJXw

— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras)

Hello & - this tweet insults my religious feelings. Please take strict action against . pic.twitter.com/272p3yFw4n

— Bhairav (Modi Ka Parivar) (@xBhairav)

Shameless person.... Bhagwan ko baksh de... Paiso ke liye kitna giroge?

— Vineeta Singh 🇮🇳 (@biharigurl)

We give 24 hours to remove the below mentioned tweet and put out a public apology through a tweet or we shall proceed by filing a FIR and taking this to its logical conclusion. We will accept criticism of Modi ji but keep our gods, devis and devtas out of this.… pic.twitter.com/Xca6h0jQGX

— ࿗🚩क्रिमसन पीक (@crimson__peak)

Unacceptable and objectionable!
Is it permissible by Law to make a mockery of religious sentiments of Hindus in India ? https://t.co/bvixYKuNnM

— Deep Narayan Singh (@DEEPNar86649293)

good one!

but, he said "mujhe bhagwan ne bheja hai", not "main bhagwan hoon"

there is a difference! https://t.co/afsLDXTB8e

— JabarDasti (@jabardasti)

This is unacceptable. This Congressi slave has crossed all the limits this time. This is an insult of our Aradhya Prabhu Shri Ram...

Can anyone get away by making similar cartoons on other communities? pic.twitter.com/Mehrq26BPk

— Mr Sinha (Modi's family) (@MrSinha_)

Hello

I need to report a hate post

Where can I file FIR on bigot? https://t.co/oZEXqU7yk1

— Buddha (@iykyk_ikyk)

We live in a secular India

Where quoting Hadith verses may lead to 'Sar Tan Se Juda'
But mocking Hindu gods can give you the opportunity to become a famous artist backed by the Congress Party. https://t.co/wcN6nECkwN

— Sameer (@SAMEERJH4)

This is a clear insult of Bhagwan Shri Ram and this is hurting my religious sentiment. https://t.co/NrPOZ486BR

— Arpita Chatterjee ( Modi Ka Parivar) (@asliarpita)

Will any action be taken against this pig with anti-Hindu mentality, who is playing with our faith in the guise of a cartoonist? https://t.co/mL1JxqQtkb

— AJ (@iam_bakshi)

I request to arrest this guy ASAP, he is mocking our religious sentiments and trying to incite unrest in the society at large https://t.co/DeSgReVv0F

— Sayak Ghosh (Modi's Family) (@SG26532385GS)

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