Akademi not to revoke cartoon award

The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi has refused to withdraw the award conferred on a controversial cartoon.

The State government had earlier asked the Akademi to reconsider the award given to a cartoon by K.K. Subhash, which allegedly portrayed bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused in a sexual assault case, in a bad light.

But the general council and executive committee meetings held here on Monday decided not to reconsider the award. “The committee endorses the decision of the jury,” said Akademi chairman Nemam Pushparaj. “The jury has taken an independent decision on the award. Three senior cartoonists had selected the work for the award,” he added.