IAC demands cartoonist Aseem Trivedi's release

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Condemning the arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi in Mumbai, India Against Corruption (IAC) Monday demanded that he be "unconditionally released" and "baseless charge of sedition" against him be withdrawn.

The IAC, in a statement, said: "the use of sedition law against Aseem Trivedi is blatantly illegal and portrays sign of a paranoid state that does not behoove a mature democracy like India his harassment smacks of vendetta against anti-corruption movement."

"IAC demands that Aseem Trivedi be unconditionally released and all charges against him, including the baseless charge of sedition be withdrawn instantly."

The anti-corruption group said that it stood for freedom of expression and was anguished by the growing culture of intolerance for creative expression in the public domain.

"There can be two views about the content of some other cartoons put up by him on his website, or indeed about their appropriateness but these are matters to be judged by the public, and not by the police," the IAC said.