Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the gradual disappearance of an entire community – the one that made us laugh tickled our funny bones, and compelled us to think. Satirists, cartoonists, and masters of humour are slowly fading away. They have been replaced by YouTubers and stand-up comedians whose sick jokes are often laced with profanity and vulgarity. This is an era where laughter has been replaced by shouting, brawling, and hate-filled dialogues.

There was a time when newspapers were recognized for the excellent cartoons of artists like Laxman, Ranga, Sudhir Dhar, Vijayan, and Shankar. Their cartoons not only made people laugh but also delivered sharp blows to society and politics. RK Laxman's ‘Common Man’ reflected the image of every Indian, and Shankar's cartoons exposed the reality of politicians.

Read in Hindi: बात बात पे जंग, व्यंग्य और हास्य के बदलते रंग...!

But what about today? Cartoons have disappeared from newspapers, and humour has vanished from politics. It seems newspapers are afraid, cartoonists are afraid, and we are all afraid. Is this what freedom means? Where have the successors of this tradition gone – Cho Ramaswamy's Tughlaq magazine in Tamil, Sharad Joshi's satires, Khushwant Singh's taunts, Kaka Hathrasi's poems? Comedians like Johnny Walker, Mehmood, Deven Verma, Johar, and Om Prakash have disappeared from films, and comedy serials have vanished from television.

The relationship between politics and humour has always been complex. There was a time when Parliament was filled with jokes, poetry, and laughter. Leaders like Piloo Modi and Raj Narain made people laugh heartily. But what about today? Be it Parliament or the Legislative Assembly, everyone sits with a grave expression. Seriousness has replaced humour. Is this the definition of democracy?

In today's era, satirizing political or religious figures can be life-threatening. Cartoonists and comedians are victims of threats, online harassment, and legal action. For example, cartoonists who depicted controversial religious figures have faced widespread protests and threats. In India too, cartoonists who criticize political leaders or religious figures often fall prey to online trolling and legal action.

However, it's not all that bleak. India still has some very funny people who keep the torch of laughter burning. But most of them shy away from politics. Leaders don't appear on comedy shows. Is this the freedom of humour? Some viewers and audiences watch TV news channels for entertainment, enjoying the anchors' shouting and arguments.

Social media platforms often remove content deemed objectionable, sometimes without clear guidelines. This leads to self-censorship. Comedians and creators have to be cautious about their content. Many comedians' shows have been cancelled due to threats of violence. Internet shutdowns and censorship are used to suppress dissenting voices, including those of comedians and online creators.

Yet, it's not all that hopeless. India still has some very funny people who keep the torch of laughter burning. The rise of stand-up comedians, YouTubers, and bloggers demonstrates the enduring human spirit of resilience and creativity. These new voices continue to mock politicians and social issues, proving that humour cannot be easily silenced.

Mukta Gupta, publisher of Humour Times, says, "The decline of political cartooning symbolizes a larger social shift. The rise of graphic design and animated characters, while technologically advanced, often lacks the conceptual depth and simplicity of traditional line drawings."

Humour and satire are not just meant for entertainment but essential mechanisms for holding power accountable, challenging social norms and promoting critical thinking. In open societies, humour and satire serve as crucial barometers of freedom, tolerance, and liberal values. However, in today's era, the space for humour and political satire is shrinking, influenced by rising intolerance, religious fundamentalism, and political correctness.

Still, amidst these challenges, there are rays of hope. The war on laughter continues, and this war belongs to all of us. Because as long as there is laughter, there is life. And as long as there is life, there is laughter. Perhaps no other creature besides humans can laugh.