The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi said on Monday that it will not review KK Subhash's controversial cartoon, which had been jury-selected for its prestigious award. The LDF-led Kerala government had asked Akademi to review the jury decision for the award after the cartoon drew flak for hurting religious sentiments.
KK Subash’s cartoon, titled ‘Vishwasam Rakshathi’, has been criticised for portraying rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal in "bad light."
Akademi Chairman Nemam Pushparaj said that the jury’s decision on the matter was final and that the Akademi stands firm on it, Asianet News reports. He also added that the executive committee of the Akademi has unanimously decided not to review the award.
Lalithakala Akademi is an autonomous cultural organisation under the government of Kerala. “The Akademi stands for freedom of expression and we have found nothing wrong with the cartoon,” Pushparaj said, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
AK Balan, minister for Law, Culture and Cinema, had earlier said that the award decision would be reviewed. He had said that while the government accepts theme of the cartoon, its apparent insult to religious symbols was being seriously considered.
According to reports, the jury members of the award were cartoonist Sukumaran, PV Krishnan and Madhu Omallur. The Akademi also said that it holds the decision of the jury members in high esteem.
In the cartoon, Franco Mulakkal is depicted as a cock, propped up by MLA PC George, who openly supported him, even as the nuns who spoke up are seen fleeing the scene. PC George is also seen standing on a police cap, suggesting that authorities were lax in their duty.
PK Sasi, an MLA of the CPI(M), who has been accused of sexual harassment, is also present in the frame, wearing the same headdress as Franco. In the frame, there is also a woman's underwear on the bishop's staff that Franco carries.
Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) called the cartoon incendiary and objectionable and has even asked Lalithakala Akademi to apologise for it.
Following these criticisms, Minister AK Balan said that decision to give award to the cartoon would be reviewed.