“A strong political cartoon will always have layers. It is not just entertainment or a joke. It is a comment,” said Sandeep Adhwaryu, a newspaper cartoonist.
He was speaking at a panel discussion titled “Is political cartooning thriving or witnessing a pushback?” as part of the Maya Kamath Memorial International Cartoon Contest 2026, organised by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists on Saturday.
One of the themes of the discussion was whether memes are replacing political cartoons. Mr. Adhwaryu said that while memes have gained popularity due to the digital revolution, they often lack the depth that good political cartoons possess. He added that memes have democratised satire because people no longer need drawing skills to express ideas online. However, he argued that cartoons continue to offer deeper insights.
C.S. Lakshmi, a writer and panelist, addressed the rise of personal attacks disguised as humour, particularly on online platforms. She argued that satire should provoke people to think rather than simply insult or ridicule them.
The panel also discussed the growing intolerance towards criticism and satire. Speakers observed that public figures today often react more strongly to cartoons and jokes than they did in the past.
The event also featured the presentation of the Barton Award 2026, a lifetime achievement award for excellence in cartooning, to Hyderabad-based cartoonist Subhani.
Published – June 13, 2026 11:25 pm IST
