Hyderabad, Sept. 29 -- Social media accounts of several digital cartoonists have been restricted, with artists reporting that their handles were taken down following requests from the government.

Prominent political cartoonist Satish Acharya, whose Instagram account was restricted, said the notice came after he posted cartoons on the Election Commission amid backlash against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Acharya's cartoon on CEC Gyanesh Kumar

"I have never seen a govt which is SO SCARED of cartoons," said Acharya on X, commenting on posts claiming his Instagram handle was withheld in India.

In another post on X, Acharya shared news clippings from 2018, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reportedly said "cartoons have ...