The arrest of cartoonist G Bala by the Tamil Nadu police has made headlines but what it pointed at is the growing intolerance for dissent in the state.

Activists leading peaceful people’s movements against various issues and projects have been arrested and remanded, and at times illegally detained across the state. From charges of sedition to slapping of the Goondas Act, they have been targets of the police, to stifle the voices of democratic forces.

Cartoonist Bala was arrested on November 5 on a complaint by the Tirunelveli Collector against his cartoon. It showed the Collector with the Chief Minister and Superintendent of Police in a “distasteful manner”. Bala’s cartoon was depicting his dissent over the self-immolation of a four-member daily-wager family, whose complaints of harassment by usurers went unheard. His arrest was condemned by all political party leaders and he was released on bail next day.