A Case Study – Political Intolerance and an Arrest!
Ananda Vikatan, a leading Tamil weekly published a cartoon on their cover page in their issue dated...
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Ananda Vikatan, a leading Tamil weekly published a cartoon on their cover page in their issue dated 29th March 1987. (Picture left).
In the subsequent issue, Mr S Balasubramanian, Editor wrote an editorial that said, "This cartoon is about politicians who come to power through the democratic process and then they betray the trust of the people. This cartoon can apply to any country".
Not satisfied with the response by the editor, the Assembly passed a resolution imposing a three months' imprisonment to Mr Balasubramanian, Editor. The editor was arrested. Immediately, the entire media in India and world over criticised the arrest, as it was regarded as a breach in the freedom of the press. Even BBC carried a strong message.
Since the issue was taken up by the global media, after two days, the speaker ordered the release of the editor. The editor came out of the prison victoriously.
After release from the prison, Mr Balasubramanian filed a 'defamation case' in the High Court, Chennai against the State Government, demanding a token compensation of Rs.1000/-. After seven years, in Sep 1994, the High Court ordered a compensation of Rs.1000/-, declaring the arrest 'unconstitutional, null and void'. The Tamil Nadu Government paid the compensation by a cheque (picture in the cover)
Even today, an enlarged picture of the cheque adorns the wall at the Ananda Vikatan office as a symbol of the 'freedom of expression'.
Photo coutesy: Ananda Vikatan. Article by K. Srinivasan, Editor in Chief (reproduced from Dec 2008 edition)
