>GreenC bot at 16:52, 25 June 2021

2021-06-25T16:52:36Z

New page

{{short description|Indian political cartoonist and activist (born 1987)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Aseem Trivedi
| image = Aseem Trivedi.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Trivedi at [[Raj Ghat]], Delhi protesting on internet censorship
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|2|17}}
| birth_place = [[Shuklaganj]], [[Kanpur metropolitan area]], [[Unnao district]], [[Uttar Pradesh|UP]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Indian
| known_for = [[Political cartoon]], Activism
| movements = [[India Against Corruption]], [[Save Your Voice]]
| notable_works = [[Social Work]]
| patrons =
| awards = Courage in Editorial Cartooning (2012)
| elected =
| website = [http://www.aseemtrivedi.in www.aseemtrivedi.in]
}}
'''Aseem Trivedi''' (born 17 February 1987) is an Indian [[political cartoon]]ist and activist, known for his anti corruption campaign [[Cartoons Against Corruption]]. He is a founder member of [[Save Your Voice]], a movement against internet censorship in India. He is the recipient of "Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2012" of US based [[Cartoonists Rights Network International]].

==Early life==
Aseem Trivedi was born on 17 February 1987 in [[Shuklaganj]] at [[Unnao district]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] State in [[India]]. He studied in Saraswati Vidya Mandir till 12th standard. He started his career as a freelance cartoonist and worked for several [[Hindi]] language newspapers and magazines.<ref name="toi07Jan">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-07/india/30601289_1_website-cartoons-domain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110044943/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-07/india/30601289_1_website-cartoons-domain |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 January 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Website blocked, cartoonist moves content to another host |date=7 January 2012 }}</ref>

==Cartoons against corruption==
In 2011, a nationwide anti corruption movement [[India Against Corruption]] gathered pace in India. Aseem Trivedi started a cartoon based campaign, [[Cartoons Against Corruption]] to support the movement. He launched a website www.cartoonsagainstcorruption.com and displayed his cartoons in the [[MMRDA]] ground, [[Mumbai]] during the hunger strike of [[Anna Hazare]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://art-leaks.org/2012/01/12/democracy-arrested-in-india-aseem-trivedi-continues-his-struggle-against-censorship/ |title=Democracy arrested in India: Aseem Trivedi continues his struggle against censorship |date=12 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/technologic/from-cyber-india-to-censor-india-groups-challenge-didactic-govt |title=From Cyber India to Censor India: Groups challenge didactic govt |date=29 April 2012}}</ref>

==Ban on the website==
The website was banned by Mumbai Crime Branch for displaying "defamatory and derogatory cartoons" in Dec, 2011. Following his website's ban, he uploaded his cartoons to a new blog.<ref name="hoot23Apr">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5881&mod=1&pg=1&sectionId=21 |title=Why is this cartoonist caged? |date=23 April 2012 |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051539/http://www.thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5881&mod=1&pg=1&sectionId=21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Fight against internet censorship==
After the ban on his website, Aseem Trivedi along with his friend [[Alok Dixit]] started [[Save Your Voice]], a campaign for internet freedom. Through the creative protests in several cities, Save Your Voice, initiated a debate over internet freedom in India.<ref name="hoot23Apr" /><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/03/27/activists-to-celebrate-kapil-sibal-on-april-fools-day/ |title=Activists to 'Celebrate' Kapil Sibal on April Fools' Day |date=27 March 2012 | work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_save-your-voice-a-movement-against-web-censorship_1661820 |title=Save Your Voice – A movement against Web censorship |date=13 March 2012}}</ref> The campaign was targeted at the draconian rules framed under the Information Technology Act, 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3390327.ece |title=For the sake of free speech |date=8 May 2012 | location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |first=Sujatha |last=Subramanian}}</ref>

==Hunger Strike==
Aseem Trivedi went on an indefinite hunger strike for internet freedom at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The motive of the hunger strike was to request political parties to support the annulment motion against the Intermediary Guideline Rules of the Information Technology Act 2011 of India.<ref name="fp06Jun">{{cite web |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/06/06/the_war_for_india_s_internet |title=The War for India's Internet |date=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rsf.org/two-cyber-activists-end-fast-but-12-05-2012,42614.html |title=TWO CYBER-ACTIVISTS END FAST BUT CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT RULES GATHERS PACE |date=12 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912050029/http://en.rsf.org/two-cyber-activists-end-fast-but-12-05-2012%2C42614.html |archivedate=12 September 2012 }}</ref>

==Charges and allegations==
One of Trivedi's cartoons showed the four lions that form Ashoka Chakra, India's national symbol, replaced by four wolves and the national slogan "truth shall prevail" replaced by "corruption shall prevail." Another cartoon showed Parliament as the "national toilet". He sketched a woman as "Mother India" being assaulted by a politician and a bureaucrat. A caption above this cartoon reads "gang rape of Mother India".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/debate-outrage-over-cartoonist-s-offensive-sketches/story-eM42TLo4xjTGHT2WhSzWFL.html|title=Debate, outrage over cartoonist's 'offensive' sketches|date=2012-09-10|access-date=2018-03-13|language=en}}</ref>

He faced serious allegations of insulting national emblem, Parliament, flag and constitution through his cartoons. He was charged with [[Sedition#India|sedition IPC 124A]], [[Information Technology Act, 2000|Section 66A of IT act]] and [[Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971|National Emblem Act 1971]] .<ref name="hoot23Apr" /><ref name="cpj30Jan">{{cite web|url=http://cpj.org/blog/2012/01/can-an-indian-cartoonist-be-barred-from-mocking-th.php|title=Can an Indian cartoonist be barred from mocking the state?|date=30 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="s07Mar">{{cite web|url=http://www.sampsoniaway.org/blog/2012/03/07/cartoonist-in-india-campaigns-against-corruption-and-censorship/|title=Cartoonist in India Campaigns Against Corruption and Censorship|date=7 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="cr09Feb">{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonistsrights.org/recent_developments_article.php?id=28|title=In India the Enemies of Free Speech Find a "Symbolic" Means to Attack Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi|date=9 February 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922193107/http://cartoonistsrights.org/recent_developments_article.php?id=28|archivedate=22 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The case against him was filed in a Mumbai court by a lawyer, who said the pictures mocked national symbols. Trivedi was also charged with posting seditious and obscene content on his website.<ref name="otm04Feb">{{cite web|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-world-wild-web|title=The World Wild Web|date=4 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="s07Mar" /><ref name="cr09Feb" />

==Jail==
He was arrested in Mumbai on 9 September 2012 on charges of sedition, related to the [[Cartoons Against Corruption|content of his work]].<ref name="Frstpst1">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/cartoonist-sent-to-judicial-custody-on-sedition-charges-449214.html |title=Cartoonist sent to judicial custody on sedition charges |date=9 September 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrest-of-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-a-crime-katju/1000413/ Arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi a crime: Katju – Indian Express]</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130126015623/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Katju-defends-arrested-cartoonist-Aseem-Trivedi/Article1-927158.asp Latest news, photos, videos, podcasts, breaking news, from North India, South India, North East, West India, East India, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata – Hindu...]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120912041054/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/free-cartoonist-aseem-arrest-policemen-katju/290285-3.html Free cartoonist Aseem, arrest policemen: Justice Markandey Katju – India News – IBNLive]</ref><ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/justice-katju-defends-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-052220135.html Justice Katju defends cartoonist Aseem Trivedi – Yahoo! News India]</ref><ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/video/national/6/free-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-katju/12154 Free cartoonist Aseem Trivedi: Katju]</ref><ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/justice-markandey-katju-defends-arrested-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi/1/216720.html Justice Markandey Katju defends arrested cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, says he has done nothing illegal : India, News – India Today]</ref><ref>[http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/justice-markandey-katju-defends-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-947 Justice Markandey Katju defends cartoonist Aseem Trivedi | Deccan Chronicle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911033655/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/justice-markandey-katju-defends-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-947 |date=11 September 2012 }}</ref> He was granted bail with a personal bond of Rs. 5000 on the basis of an independent petition by a lawyer, who also asked the court to remove the accusations of sedition.

Sedition charges were dropped by the government in October 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/maharashtra-government-drops-sedition-charge-against-cartoonist-aseem-trivedi-118473-2012-10-12|title=Maharashtra government drops sedition charge against cartoonist Aseem Trivedi|date=2012-10-12|website=India Today|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> Section 66A of IT Act was scrapped by Supreme Court of India in March 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/sec-66a-scrapped-police-apply-sections-without-second-thought-says-aseem-trivedi/story-qYd50fevB7vKTPUcsoKYEJ.html|title=Sec 66A scrapped: Police apply sections without second thought, says Aseem Trivedi|date=2015-03-24|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-03-13|language=en}}</ref>

==Awards==
He has been announced as the 2012 recipient of the "Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award" of [[Virginia]] based [[Cartoonists Rights Network International]]. He is sharing the award with Syrian cartoonist [[Ali Ferzat]].<ref name="crni">{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonistsrights.org/recent_developments_article.php?id=42 |title=CRNI Announces Winners of the 2012 Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award – Syrian Ali Ferzat and Indian Aseem Trivedi |date=9 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922192652/http://cartoonistsrights.org/recent_developments_article.php?id=42 |archivedate=22 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/profiles-in-cartooning-courage-how-artists-in-syria-iran-and-india-wield-their-free-speech-pens-against-powerful-forces/2012/05/12/gIQAxcxvaMgdJU_blog.html |title=PROFILES IN CARTOONING COURAGE |date=12 May 2012 | work=The Washington Post}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Indian Affairs<ref>{{Cite web|title = Was Nobel Peace Prize For 2009 Conferred To President Barack Obama A Historical Blunder? {{!}} APN News|url = http://www.apnnews.com/2011/08/02/was-nobel-peace-prize-for-2009-conferred-to-president-barack-obama-a-historical-blunder/|access-date = 2016-02-06|first = Madhav|last = says}}</ref> founded by [http://www.apnnews.com/2012/05/31/unpleasant-monsoon-in-politics-unstable-economic-scenario-grapple-india%E2%80%99s-growth-story/ Satya Brahma] in its 6th Annual India Leadership Conclave 2015 awarded Trivedi as "Cartoonist of the year 2015".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Painting is an expression of artist's imagination: Trivedi|url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/painting-is-an-expression-of-artist-s-imagination-trivedi-115092000281_1.html|access-date = 2016-02-06}}</ref>

He was also nominated for the Freedom of Expression Awards 2013 in Arts category by UK based group [[Index on Censorship]].<ref name="toi">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/india/37560627_1_russian-punk-rock-band-chinese-dissident-artist-indian-artist |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629121443/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/india/37560627_1_russian-punk-rock-band-chinese-dissident-artist-indian-artist |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Two Indians nominated for Index Awards for Freedom of Expression |date=8 March 2013 }}</ref>

==Reality television==

;As contestant
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!width=50|Year
!width=140| Show
!width=140| Standing
|-
|<center> 2012</center>
|<center> ''[[Bigg Boss 6]]''</center>
| <center> 17th place<br> Evicted Day 27<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aseem-trivedi-removed-from-bigg-boss-says-rpi/article4059140.ece|title=Aseem Trivedi removed from Bigg Boss, says RPI |accessdate=2 November 2012 | location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|date=2 November 2012}}</ref></center>
|}

==See also==
* [[India Against Corruption]]
* [[Cartoons Against Corruption]]
* [[Save Your Voice]]
* [[Internet censorship in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trivedi, Aseem}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian cartoonists]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Indian anti-corruption activists]]
[[Category:People from Kanpur]]
[[Category:Activists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Writers from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Bigg Boss (Hindi TV series) contestants]]

Aseem Trivedi - Revision history

>GreenC bot at 16:52, 25 June 2021