Tamil Nadu based cartoonist Surendra Kumar, better known as cartoonist Varma, has been arrested on Monday in Villupuram based on the complaint lodged by the Popular Front of India for reportedly representing Prophet Muhammed under inappropriate grounds.

The complaint was filed against the cartoonist by Riyas Ahmed, who is the member of the outfit, at Villupuram Taluk police station. Based on the complaint, he was arrested and an FIR has been booked against the cartoonist under sections 153A, 295A, 504, 505(I)C, and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code. 

According to the reports, cartoonist Varma has avowed that he will be releasing a picture of Prophet Muhammed as an act of retaliation against the 'Karuppar Kootam' Youtube Channel for making derogatory videos against Hindu Gods. By taking to Facebook, Varma reportedly warned the Muslim people not to support the Karuppar Kootam group. He further stated that he will release a photo of Prophet Muhammed if the Muslim people failed to keep a distance from the anti-Hindu Karuppar Kootam group. 

Varma went on to say that he won't take responsibility for the strife that would erupt after releasing the photo. of Prophet Muhammed. While his post stirred controversy, the Popular Front of India has moved a complaint against him after which he was arrested by the Villupuram police department. According to the reports, the admin and presenter of the 'Karuppar Kottam' was also brought under legal books based on the complaint filed by the BJP for making derogatory videos against Hindu gods. 

The BJP has moved its complaint to the Central Crime Branch of Chennai police in which it has said that the Youtuber has been creating a conflict between groups by pouring a bad light against the Hindu Gods which directly affects the sentiments of the religion. Based on the complaint, the Crime Branch has booked Surender Natrajan under the same sections of the Indian Penal Code that were slapped for cartoonist Varma. 

The right-wing groups including BJP and Hindu Makkal Katchi have condemned the arrest of Varma. BJP National Secretary H Raja has voiced against the arrest and labeled it as an apparent anti-Hindu operation while Hindu Makkal Katchi has raised slogans against the arrest of Varma and the ring-wing outfits demanded the police to arrest Surender Natrajan. 

Surendra Kumar alias Varma (30) belongs to Kumaramangalam Village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram. He got arrested in May after he caught with controversy over publishing the cartoon that derograted VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan.