Do political cartoons face suppression? Experts debate

“A strong political cartoon will always have layers. It’s not just entertainment or a joke. It’s commentary,” said Sandeep Adhwaryu, a cartoonist for the newspaper.

He spoke in a panel discussion titled “Is Political Cartooning Prospering or Witnessing Suppression?” as part of the Maya Kamath Memorial International Cartoon Contest 2026 organized by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists on Saturday.

One topic of discussion was whether memes are replacing political cartoons. Mr Adhwaryu said that while memes have gained popularity thanks to the digital revolution, they often lack the depth that good political cartoons have. He added that memes have democratized satire because people no longer need to draw to express ideas online. However, he argued that cartoons continued to offer deeper insights.

CS Lakshmi, writer and panelist, addressed the rise of personal attacks disguised as humor, especially on online platforms. She argued that satire should provoke people to think rather than simply insult or ridicule them.

The panel also discussed the growing intolerance of criticism and satire. Speakers noted that public figures today often respond to caricatures and jokes more strongly than in the past.

The event also included the presentation of the Barton Award 2026, a lifetime achievement award for outstanding cartooning, to Hyderabad-based cartoonist Subhani.

Published – 13 Jun 2026 23:25 IST