Srinagar: Suspected Hindu extremists hurled stones at the home of an artist in southern Indian state of Kerala after she had drawn cartoons to show her outrage against the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, reports said Friday.

After putting out abusive comments and death threats on the Facebook page of artist Durga Malathi, the extremists pelted stones on Thursday at her house near Palakkad. The stone pelting also damaged the windshield of a jeep parked in front of the house. Police has filed a case in the incident.

Durga said she and her friends have been attacked on social media since the last few days. “We are subjected to online sexual harassment. Not only were me but also my friends who have commented in favour of my cartoon also targeted,” she said.

The cartoon depicts the Kathua rape and murder victim’s bleeding representation on a male sexual organ. The BJP flag flies on the head of the organ. Durga has come out with similar cartoons in the past as well.

In a Facebook post, Durga said: “My Facebook profile has been filled with abuses, rape and murder threats. What wrong have I done? I drew pictures against those who raped a young child. It wasn’t against any religion and I had made this clear through Facebook posts.”

A report quoting her stated, “Anyone can be attacked in this so-called progressive state of Kerala if their religious sentiments are instigated. Seeing the silence of many, I think many believe that I deserve all these. I have to remind myself often that I am living in a democratic nation. If I am denied justice I will have to believe that democracy is a blatant lie.”

Photo: Durga Malathi/Facebook