Marathi daily attacked for publishing 'derogatory' illustration

A leading Marathi newspaper group, Lokmat's office was attacked in multiple places in Maharashtra. The copies of the Sunday edition of the newspaper were also burnt at several places because of a 'blasphemous' cartoon which was published in Lokmat's supplement Manthan. 

The article titled 'ISIS cha Paisa' (ISIS' money) and its accompanying image irked the members of the Muslim community and hundreds of Muslims in Dhule, Nandurbar, Malegaon and other parts of Maharashtra staged various protests. 

An FIR was also registered against the cartoonist and the editor of the newspaper. 

However, the editor of the newspaper later extended an immediate apology for the cartoon and assured that action will be taken against those responsible for the publication of the particular cartoon. 

Following the massive protests, security has been increased in all the Lokmat offices across Maharashtra. A top Maharashtra Police official. Security at all the Lokmat offices across Maharashtra has been beefed up.

“We are monitoring the situation and we request the people to help us maintain peace,” a top Maharashtra Police official said. 

People also took on social media to comment on the protests:

ISIS has no religion. Peaceful attack on Lokmat office for posting a cartoon of ISIS and a piggybank. 2 min. silence for #AdarshLiberals

— Vinay Kumar Hanspal (@VinayHanspal) November 30, 2015

So cartoon on #ISIS is an abuse on #Islam If not, why #Lokmat was attacked ? Joke is #Lokmat apologised to #ISIS sympathisers in India.

— ☆Vishal Panicker☆ (@VisVp) November 30, 2015

Hahahaha uber #AdarshLiberal Lokmat got physically attacked by 'ordinary Muslims' coz published a cartoon on ISIS(which doesn't rep Islam)

— हम भारत के लोग (@India_Policy) November 30, 2015

ISIS is Unislamic Pig is Haram in Islam. So why is cartoon of ISIS getting funding in Piggy bank hurting the sentiments of Muslims?#Lokmat

— Nitin Gupta (@Nitin_Rivaldo) November 30, 2015