Controversy-hit Commonwealth Games inspires cartoon exhibition

The controversy-marred run up to the Delhi Commonwealth Games has inspired a noted cartoonist to display an exhibition to be inaugurated by senior BJP leader LK Advani.

A series of 15 cartoons made by Irfan Khan will take a dig on the issues from allegations of corruption, falling bridges to last minute delays in completion of sports venues for Commonwealth Games.

"I like to work on current and burning issues. As a cartoonist, I tried to bring out the problems faced by common people due to the inconvenience caused by CWG preparations and delays in it," says Irfan Khan, who has more than 20-years of experience.

"Cartoons have the power to speak truth in the most humble way. My CWG cartoons speak for all the problems surrounding the Games now. It's a different view and people will like it," he says.

"It's humour only that you can see a bridge has fallen but the organisers say it has not," says Khan, whose cartoons include those on OC chief Suresh Kalmadi, Union sports minister MS Gill and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.

Asked about his choice for LK Advani for inauguration of his exhibition, he says," I approached some Congress leaders but they were not ready ready for the inauguration. At the moment, people's voice is not that of Congress but that of Opposition. And who better than Advaniji. I also like making cartoons on him."

Irfan was sentenced for four months for making a cartoon on a former Chief Justice of India in 2007. This matter is still pending in the Supreme Court of India.

"I did not do anything deliberately and intentionally. So, I did not let the incident affect me and I am doing my work as usual. It has made me more stronger now," says Khan.

The cartoonist feels CWG were supposed to make life better for Delhiites but they have caused a lot of inconvenience to common man, with roads dug up everywhere and traffic jams.

"Had media not focused on CVC report, people would have never come to know about the corruption in CWG preparations. Things are on the boil and new things are coming out everyday," says Khan.

"The message is clear that the episode has brought bad name just for the greed of a bunch of people. Delhi CWG would be remembered for a long time by the people. People have been treated badly by the government," he adds.

Irfan has worked as a political cartoonist with media organisations like Dainik Bhaskar, The Financial Express, The Asian Age and is currently working with Hindi daily Jansatta

The exhibition is scheduled to be held on September 26 at Press Club in New Delhi.