Aseem Trivedi's cartoon is still online

BANGALORE, INDIA: In 2011, when the nation erupted against corruption following a movement launched by veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare, many bore the brunt for supporting it. And cartoonist Aseem Trivediwas just one among them, as the website hosting his anti-corruption cartoons was blocked.

In December, the Crime Branch (Mumbai) ordered BigRock, the host of www.cartoonsagainstcorruption.com, which had over 50 anti-corruption cartoons by Trivedi, to block the website, which was suspended within 24 hours.

Trivedi has then declared that his intention was to “depict the ailing truth of the nation and send across a strong message to the masses.”

Undeterred by the government blocking his website, Trivedi continued his protest against corruption through art and recently displayed some cartoons at protest camps organized by Anna and his aides.

He was arrested by police on September 9, 2012. And today, he was sent to jail for refusing to apply for bail. "If telling the truth makes me a traitor then I am one," he said.

Now, are you wondering what kind of cartoons irk government, take a look at these.

The cartoons that caused the stir include:

1. Trivedi’s interpretation of the Indian national emblem, where four venomous wolves stand in place of King Asoka’s Sarnath lions. Further, the inscription on the emblem reads “Bhrashtamev Jayate” (Long Live Corruption) instead of “Satyamev Jayate” (Long Live Truth).

2. Another cartoon depicts the Indian Parliament building as a toilet. At the right end of the cartoon, a little above the halfway line, there is a roller with toilet paper. To the left, there is a pink flush, attached to a commode below with three flies hovering over it.

3. The commode looks like the Indian Parliament. ‘National Toilet,’ says the cartoon’s title, with this line beneath the sketch: ‘Isme istamal hone wale toilet paper ko ballot paper bhi kehte hain’ (the toilet paper used here is also called Ballot paper).

4. Yet another cartoon features the “Mother India,” wearing a Tri-color sari, about to be raped by a character labeled “Corruption." The title of the cartoon is "Gang Rape of Mother India."

5. Another cartoon shows politics and corruption in a sexual position to expose their immoral relationship. The line beneath the cartoon reads, "The immoral relationships are always harmful for a house hold."