In cartoons: The work of P Mahamud, the winner of the inaugural Gauri Lankesh award
Bengaluru : Political cartoonist P Mahamud has won the first edition of an award set up in the memory of journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was assassinated in Bengaluru a year ago. The announcement was made on Wednesday by two India centres of writers’ organisation PEN.
Mahamud has been given the “Gauri Lankesh Award for Democratic Idealism” award for his “exemplary commitment to the advancement of social and economic justice and political democracy”, the award citation said. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and will be given annually to individuals or organisations whose work “reflects an abiding passion and courage towards advancing democratic culture in India”, said PEN Delhi and PEN South India.
“Mahamud’s cartoons have offered a powerful, non-partisan critique of political corruption, communalism and caste prejudice, among other problems seen in the country in general and in Karnataka in particular,” said the awarding organisations. “The bold and passionate work of Mahamud has contributed richly to nourish a democratic spirit in public discussions.”
Mahmud began his career as a freelance cartoonist with Kannada weekly in 1986 and went on to work with several English and Kannada publications.
The jury for the inaugural award – which was given for work in Kannada – comprised sociologist Chandan Gowda, journalist Sangamesh Menasinakai, and authors Arshia Sattar and Vivek Shanbhag.
Here are a few cartoons he has drawn in recent weeks:
(A cartoon, dated August 30, that takes a jibe at the Centre for the arrest of five human rights activists while bigger problems remain unsolved.)
(A cartoon drawn on July 20, 2018, when a no-confidence motion against the government was discussed in the Lok Sabha. The government won the vote.)
(A cartoon, dated September 5, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reaction to the declining value of the rupee and rising fuel prices.)
(A cartoon published on August 4 after Imran Khan's party emerged the single-largest party in the Pakistan national elections.)
Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in her home in Bengaluru on the night of September 5, 2017. Unidentified men fired at least four shots at her before escaping by motorbike. A special investigation team of the Karnataka Police is investigating the murder.
courtesy : scroll.in
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Anybody who abuses PM Modi won't be allowed to return home: Union minister Rane warns opposition
Mumbai, Apr 23: Ahead of a rally of opposition leaders, Union minister Narayan Rane has warned that if anybody used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the person will not be allowed to return home.
Rane, the BJP candidate from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency in coastal Maharashtra, was speaking at a campaign rally in Sindhudurg district on Monday.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his party's MP Sanjay Raut criticise Modi while not understanding what they are talking about, said the minister, a former Shiv Sena leader himself.
"I learnt that opposition parties will be holding a rally in Sindhudurg soon. It is part of democracy, so they are welcome here. But if anyone uses abusive language against our leader, prime minister Narendra Modi, we will not allow that person to return from here," Rane said.
The BJP leader, who left the Shiv Sena after falling out with Uddhav Thackeray in 2005, claimed that Uddhav was never his father Bal Thackeray's choice for the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister.
"Had Uddhav been his choice, Balasaheb would have made him CM instead of me in 1999. Uddhav is a zero-performance person," said Rane, who was chief minister for less than a year.
He also alleged that during the coronavirus pandemic, Uddhav Thackeray, then chief minister, tried to get "15 percent commission" on vaccine procurement, and inquiry into such corruption of his government was going on.
