The rampant food shortage faced by people in the wake of partition and independence worsened due to the evils of the black-market, despite Prime Minister Nehru’s strong anti-corruption stance and proclamation that the corrupt hoarders and profiteers shall be hanged. Chittaprosad, who had borne witness to the horrors of the Bengal famine of 1943, held Nehru accountable for the inability of the government in controlling the situation. The economy was in tatters following de-industrialisation by the British, yet new-age capitalists, industrialists, and politicians were busy guarding vested interests.
Here, the artist addresses the issue of government circulation of disinformation on the negative impact of hoarding and profiteering on food supply. He depicts a wobbly a man staggered by the blatantly false information spread to fool commoners. A stout member of ruling party smirks as he walks away after pasting a propaganda poster that tries to spread incorrect statistics.
Chittaprosad
Untitled
1947
Ink on paper
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Chittaprosad
Untitled
1947
Ink on paper
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