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Supreme Court Protects Cartoonist Hemant Malviya
The Supreme Court on July 15, 2025 granted interim protection from arrest to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya. He is facing an FIR filed in May by an RSS worker, alleging that he shared offensive cartoons and comments targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS volunteers, and Hindu deities on social media in 2021.
Court’s Strong Warning
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar was critical of Malviya’s posts. The judges described them as “undignified”, “immature”, and abusing the right to free speech. They sternly cautioned, “Log kisi ko bhi, kuch bhi keh dete hain” (People say anything to anyone), and made it clear that if Malviya repeats such acts, legal action can be initiated—even with this interim protection in place.
Apology and Post Deletion
Malviya’s lawyer, Advocate Vrinda Grover, informed the court that he would delete the allegedly objectionable posts and submit a genuine apology. The Supreme Court permitted this move and allowed her to file an affidavit with the apology in both Hindi and English. The court noted that the apology must be sincere and heartfelt, not merely a formal attempt to evade legal consequences.
Background of the Case
The FIR was registered under sections related to hurting religious sentiments, disturbing harmony, and provisions of the IT Act. The original content appeared in 2021 during the COVID‑19 pandemic; some posts were later reshared by others, prompting renewed legal scrutiny. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had denied anticipatory bail on July 3, stating that Malviya had clearly crossed the line of acceptable expression.
Verdict Pending Further Hearing
The Supreme Court will review Malviya’s apology and further arguments in the next hearing. For now, he remains safe from arrest—but only as long as he refrains from posting more controversial content. The case highlights the fine balance between freedom of expression and maintaining respect for public figures and religious beliefs.
