‘I was made a scapegoat’

Cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, now on bail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act, yesterday said he did not do anything wrong or commit any offense by drawing cartoons but he still became a "victim of the situation".

"I was made a scapegoat," said the ailing cartoonist, now undergoing treatment at a city hospital.

Speaking to The Daily Star last night, Kishore said he draws cartoons as part of his professional responsibilities and he has passion for it.

He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had never been the subjects of his cartoons.

"I did not draw cartoons with a motive to act against any individual," he added.

Asked about his health, Kishore said he was still experiencing pain in his hands, legs and right ear. Besides, he was feeling dizzy.

He said he was suffering from trauma and he could not hear on his right ear.

Expressing concern over the misuse of the Digital Security Act, the cartoonist said innocent people had been detained since the act came into force.

Expressing worries about his future, Kishore said despite his ailments, he would have to appear before a court soon to prove himself to be innocent.

A doctor treating the cartoonist said they would examine him today and check his right ear to determine whether they would need to operate on it.

Kishore walked out of jail on bail on Thursday after staying behind bars for 10 months.