The 2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy stemmed from a cartoon published on September 17, 2007, in the Prothom Alo newspaper’s supplement Alpin. The cartoon, titled Naam (Name), was created by 20-year-old cartoonist Arifur Rahman. It depicted a conversation between an elderly man and a boy, where the boy was asked about his name. The boy did not use the prefix “Muhammad,” which is customary for some Muslims when referring to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Instead, he jokingly responded, “Muhammad cat.” This was seen as offensive by the country’s mainly Muslim population, especially as the cartoon was published during the holy month of Ramadan.
Controversy and Public Outcry
The cartoon sparked outrage among Muslim organizations and led to public protests, despite the interim caretaker government’s ban on demonstrations. Many viewed the cartoon as a deliberate attempt to mock the Prophet Muhammad, which heightened tensions in the country. The protests were marked by violence, and the government responded by banning the 431st edition of Alpin, seizing copies of the issue, and calling for restraint.
Arifur Rahman was arrested on September 18, 2007, under charges of “hurting religious sentiments” according to Penal Code Section 295A, which criminalizes acts that insult religion. Prothom Alo’s editor, Matiur Rahman, publicly apologized for publishing the cartoon, calling it “unedited, unapproved, and unacceptable,” and pledged to take action against those responsible. However, religious clerics and protestors continued their calls for further accountability, demanding the arrest of Rahman and Prothom Alo’s publisher, Mahfuz Anam.
Rahman’s Legal Struggles
Arifur Rahman was initially detained under Bangladesh’s emergency laws, and his detention was extended for three months after being charged. He was recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, which called for his immediate release. Reporters Without Borders also called for his release, condemning the pressure from extremist groups who sought to politicize the case. Rahman was held for over six months, from September 18, 2007, until his release on March 20, 2008, after the police failed to appear in court for his trial.
In a subsequent legal development, on November 12, 2009, a Jessore court sentenced Rahman to two months of rigorous imprisonment. He was also fined Tk 500 (about 6 USD), or face an additional seven days in prison.
Impact and Aftermath
The controversy brought attention to issues of free expression, censorship, and the tensions between freedom of the press and religious sensitivities in Bangladesh. It highlighted the risks faced by journalists and cartoonists in a society where religious sentiments are deeply protected, and it underscored the challenges of balancing humor or criticism with respect for religious beliefs. The case of Arifur Rahman remains a prominent example of the intersection of art, religion, and politics in Bangladesh.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ Human Rights in Bangladesh 2007. Arifur Rahman, faced arrest and detention for over six months