After Church Pressure Kerala Government Orders Withdrawal Of Award For Cartoon On Rape Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Award for a cartoon mocking Bishop Franco Mulakkal who is accused of repeatedly raping a nun is now in jeopardy as the Communist Kerala government has ordered the state-run Lalithakala Academy to review the decision following pressure by Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC), Press Trust of India has reported.

This is the said cartoon in question was published soon after the charges against Mulakkal surfaced and was shortlisted for the award recently:

This was perceived as vulgar and humiliating by the Church body which demanded that the “Best Cartoon Award” conferred to the sketch be withdrawn by the Lalithakala Academy and an apology be issued.

“The cartoon is very provocative and condemnable and is meant to humiliate the Christian religious symbols, alleged KCBC spokesman Father Varghese Vallikkatt.

After the protests intensified, the CPM led Communist state government ordered the academy to reexamine the said award.

This decision has come as a disappointment for Kerala Cartoon Academy which has expressed anguish over the order.