THRISSUR: Lalitha Kala Akademi rejected the government's advice to review its decision to honour the cartoon that ended in controversy saying the jury's decision was final and Akademi would stand by it. Meanwhile, Minister A.K. Balan said that the government has already taken a stand that the akademi should review its decision.

Their decision is final and we will not make any change in it," Akademi chairman Nemom Pushaparaj said.

As the cartoon had triggered a controversy, the LDF government had asked the Akademi to review its decision on the award.

The decision was taken unanimously at the executive committee and the general council of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi. The panel evaluated that there was nothing in the cartoon that portrays faith in poor light. The panel further declared that legal advice will be sought to check whether there is any violation of the constitution in relation to faith. Akademi’s decision received praise from social activists and writers N.S. Madhavan and Sethu.

Some Christian organizations took out marches Monday to the akademi headquarters, demanding withdrawal of the award to the cartoon.