Karnika Kahen, the cartoon character was born in August 2013 when I was feeling very angry after reading the news about the Asaram, an Indian Godman who sexually abused a minor girl. Asaram, the same man who months back gave this statement that 'Nirbhaya', the unfortunate rape victim of Delhi bus should have called those monsters “ Brothers” who raped her or she should have recited the “ guru-mantra” to save herself from that disaster.
Later, I faced lots of threats for my cartoons which I posted on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, from the followers of Godman for making cartoons on him, they hacked my social media accounts, stole vital information, threatened us on phone to kill us, sent us abusive messages that we should stop making cartoons on Guru or be ready to face the consequences.
I decided not to give in to fear as it would have discouraged many of my followers and we continued making cartoons on Guru. Me and my husband filed a complaint in city's cyber crime cell and local police station when threats didn't stop and got severe.
Later, the news about it spread in other parts of the world, we received invitation from Association of American Editorial Cartoonists to receive Award for Courage in Cartoons from Cartoonist Rights Network International.
We are still making lots of cartoons on social and political issues and our cartoons are very famous among the Indian folks. We want to continue to raise the voice of everyday- woman on social and political issues. We know it is not easy.
We got mentioned in many national and international media, please visit the link below to know more about us.