Award-winning 'Vishwasam Rakshathi' stokes row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 2019 Kerala Lalithakala Academy award for K.K. Subash’s cartoon "Vishwasam Rakshathi" has sparked a controversy, with the Catholic Church saying that the award-winning cartoon by KK Subash has insulted religious emotion. The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) spokesperson Fr. Varghese Vallikattu said the cartoon disrespects the Christian community as it is unlawful and provocative in nature.

Vallikattu also criticized at the Left Front government, accusing it of choosing the offensive cartoon for the award. He also asked the academy to apologize to the public for misusing the taxpayer's money on the award. He also demanded an apology to the Christian community.

Following the criticism, Kerala minister AK Balan said that religious sentiments have been hurt in the cartoon named as "Vishwasam Rakshathi" by cartoonist KK Subash. He said that the award jury had decided on the winning cartoon and the government had not interfered in it. However, in view of the allegations, the government would review the decision, the minister added.