Ambikesh Mahapatra (professor)
Artist: N/A
Year: 2012
Date of Action: April 2012
Region: Asia
Location: Bengal, India
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Public Art
Confronting Bodies: Trinamool Congress workers, Indian police
Description of Artwork: Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra of Jadvapur University had sent a cartoon out in a large email, that "shows Mamata [Banerjee] and Railways Minister Mukul Roy discussing how to get rid of party MP Dinesh Trivedi." [1] The cartoon is particularly contentious for criticizing Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister.
The Incident: Professor Mahapatra was assaulted by people believed to be Trinamool Congress workers, then arrested on charges of "eve-teasing (Section 509 of the IPC), defamation (Section 500 of the IPC), humiliating a woman (Section 114 of the IPC) and causing offence using a computer (Section 66 A (b) of the IT Act)." [2]
Results of Incident: There was widespread protest over Mahapatra's incarceration, but he still faces the charges. [3]
See also http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bengal-professor-arrested-for-antimamata-toons/248327-3.html and http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/professor-arrested-for-anti-mamata-cartoons-197127