Lokmat (Marathi: लोकमत; lit.'People's Opinion') is a Marathi-language newspaper published in Maharashtra, India. Founded in 1971 by Jawaharlal Darda, it is the largest read Marathi-language newspaper in India.[2] It is also available in an e-paper format and is published in Hindi and English as Lokmat Samachar[3] and the Lokmat Times respectively.[4]
Lokmat extended its media business to television through a 50-50 joint venture with IBN18 Broadcast Limited. The joint venture company, IBN-Lokmat Private Limited (“IBNL”), operates IBN-Lokmat, a 24 x 7 Marathi news and current affairs television channel which went on air on April 6, 2008.[5]
In 2015, a cartoon published alongside the article "ISIS cha Paisa" (ISIS' money), regarding the funding pattern of terrorist group ISIS, led to violent protests from Muslim groups and attacks on the newspaper's offices in Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, Malegaon and other locations across Maharashtra. Protestors deemed the cartoon to be "blasphemous". Several complaints were filed with the police regarding the cartoon, and subsequently, an FIR was lodged against the owners, the cartoonist and the editor. The newspaper later published an apology.[6][7][8][9] Police stated that they had increased security at all Lokmat offices across Maharashtra following the attacks.[8]
