Image: instagram.com/ash.bagchi/
“I hope to diminish the fear people have of speaking up,” says illustrator and UNICEF – Ezra Jack Keats recipient Ashish Bagchi.
The digital artist is well-known as @ash.bagchi on social media platform Instagram for creating many satirical artworks based on statements of authority figures.
“I’m not good at weaving stories, my images are my words; a way to chronicle events that unfortunately are not very pleasant since past few years. Images don’t easily fall into cracks of oblivion, they last longer and revisit us as reminders,” he said.
Originally, Bagchi used to share his artwork only on Twitter. However, as his peers encouraged him to switch to the other virtual platform for his “Instagrammy” artwork, Bagchi created a new account. He realised that Instagram gave him the same level of fame with fewer trolls. So, he decided to make a permanent switch although some of his artworks can still be viewed on Twitter.
His posts approach important social events – good or otherwise – with a humorous perspective. Most of the time, Bagchi seems to be critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-government but, as he is quick to point out, there are a few apolitical posts peppered in between socio-political works. Even so, it is undeniable how many of Bagchi’s works create a caricature of Modi or some other BJP leader.
“The criticism is not aimed at any individual but at the overall regime, their policies and commentary. I have never seen such lies, divisive propaganda in the name of religion and a brazen misuse of power in all my years of political awareness. If you have a thinking mind, it’s difficult not to be political,” says Bagchi.
He certainly proved this point in his artworks that discussed Indian economy, coronavirus pandemic, unemployment, caste-related crimes, crony-capitalism and communalism in no particular order. In one artwork, Bagchi also conveyed his opinion on the judiciary.
“It was respected as a saviour against corruption not long ago. But now we have Supreme Court verdicts that reject pleas seeking relief for migrants. Similar decisions on cases like Loya, Bhima-Koregaon, Rafale, Babri Masjid further established its place as a new ‘main bhi chowkidar’ on the block,” said Bagchi.
Another artwork titled ‘To the man with genuine degrees,’ shows Modi standing in the shadow of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Although not a man of many words, the artist said that anyone could write a tome, when comparing these two personalities not only as Prime Ministers but also as human beings.
“Not many know that Dr Manmohan Singh belonged to a poor family but he never tom-tommed about it. You’ll never see a comic book called Bal Manmohan. You will never come across anyone doubting his Doctorate degree from Oxford. The dignity of silence will always tower over the cacophony of narcissism,” he said.
When asked to elaborate on his scepticism towards the ruling BJP, he talked about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC.) Bagchi called it a direct attack on the Constitutional principle of secularism. Further, he recalled the abrogation of Article 370 that gave special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and reminded that residents – “the so-called beneficiaries” – of the now Union territories are still denied decent internet speed.
Moreover, he criticised the government for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the “ill-planned lockdown.”
“They are building a temple when we are staring at a pandemic. Right now, there is a compelling need to build better healthcare facilities more than ever. Instead, we have a Central Vista Project costing Rs 20,000-crore amidst total collapse of the economy,” he says.
The current plight of Indian farmers who were agitating against the three anti-farmer Bills also worried Bagchi because he feared the laws would turn the proud Annadatas into bonded labourers of AA companies. However, what the artist feared most was total anarchy in the current political scenario – a possibility that seemed likely considering the behaviour of the media.
Prime-time anchors like Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami have many times been the butt of Bagchi’s pictorial jokes. Speaking about the fourth estate, Bagchi says, “Some journalists are paid to spew venom. I have hope for journalists who’ve started their independent channels on YouTube.”
However, he said that mainstream media could have no redemption in the current regime that seemed to consider “arm-twisting the press” its agenda. Similarly, when asked about his opinion on freedom of speech in India, he recounted the recent arrests of human rights activists like Umar Khalid.
“Goli maaro s****n ko ones roam free and stand beside a cabinet minister. Umar Khalid and many including an 83-year-old are behind bars for speaking in favour of secularism and non-violence…”, he said.
Related:
100 years later, country still makes the same old demands: Madpaule
Apolitical is a luxury few can afford: Rahee and Sarah