AIDWA extends full support to Swati Vadlamudi, a journalist based in Hyderabad, who is presently under threat from a hitherto unknown Hindu fundamentalist outfit called Hindu Sangathan for posting a cartoon on social media on 10-11 April.
This cartoon depicted some mythological characters and satirized growing incidents of violence against women in which goons preaching so-called ‘Hindutva’ were involved.
The woman journalist was not only threatened through anonymous phone calls reminding her of what had happened to GauriLankesh for speaking up against religious fundamentalism, but an FIR was lodged against her at Saidapet PS by the ‘Hindu Sangathan’ on 14 April under section 295(a) of IPC alleging ‘outrage on the religious feelings’ of a community etc.
FIR was also lodged against Shabir Ahmed, deputy director of Times Now, for sharing the cartoon through social media.
We strongly condemn this show of muscle power to gag all dissent on the pretext of hurt caused to religious sentiment. There has been ample evidence in the recent past that such threats are not empty flourish but may turn uglier.
We demand full protection for Swati from the State Government and immediate arrest of and proper legal proceedings against person/persons involved in this criminal activity of intimidation and trolling.
