Released Trivedi remains defiant, stands by controversial cartoon

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Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, who walked out of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail after being granted bail by the Bombay High Court, on Wednesday said that his fight for 'freedom of expression' will continue.

"The fight will continue and the sedition charges should be dropped. I have not committed a crime. How can government charge me for sedition? Our fight for freedom of expression will continue," said Trivedi.

"The cartoon was patriotic and highlighted the problems in the country. I do not have any political ambitions," he added.

Trivedi also thanked all those who supported him.

There was high drama outside the Arthur Road Jail here, as India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteers turned up in large numbers to witness the cartoonist's release.

Trivedi, who was held on sedition charges, was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday.

The Bombay High Court, which granted bail to Trivedi, said if drawing cartoons was the only allegation against the cartoonist, then his custody was not required.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar directed Trivedi, who is facing a sedition case, to be released on execution of a personal bail-bond of Rs 5,000.

Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil had earlier on Tuesday said Trivedi would not suffer injustice.

"The investigation is underway. We will do all that is possible as per the law and try to close this case as soon as possible. We don't want to do injustice to anybody. The investigation officer will assess all the charges," said Patil.

"It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this case as the investigation is on," he added.

IAC member activist Arvind Kejriwal had earlier on Tuesday announced that he would begin a protest starting Saturday if all the charges levelled against the cartoonist were not dropped.

Kejriwal, who met the cartoonist presently in jail, said Trivedi is a patriot and is fighting against corruption for the last one year.

"We met Aseem now. I appreciate the courage of this boy. He can never be a traitor. He fought for Lokpal . Those who steal coal they are true patriots and those who fight against corruption are traitors. The nation will not tolerate the attitude of this government," said Kejriwal.

"If all charges against Aseem Trivedi are not dropped by Friday and he is not release from jail then we will sit outside here from Saturday," he added.

Trivedi, who was arrested by the Mumbai Police on Saturday for allegedly posting seditious and obscene content on his website which has now been blocked, was earlier sent to judicial custody till September 24.

He was also charged under the IT Act and the 1971 National Emblem Act.

The cartoonist's supporters, however, alleged that his arrest was politically motivated and that he was being punished for backing Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign.

The cartoons by Trivedi reportedly depicted Parliament as a commode and showed the national emblem with wolves instead of lions.

The police claimed that Trivedi had earlier exhibited similar cartoons at a rally organised by India Against Corruption (IAC) at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai in December 2011.