Lokmat

Lokmat (lit. 'People's Opinion') is a Marathi language newspaper published in Maharashtra state. Founded in 1971 by Jawaharlal Darda, it is the largest read regional language newspaper in India with more than 18 million readers and the No. 1 Marathi newspaper in Maharashtra & Goa states.^[2][3][4] It is also available in E-Paper format. Primarily published in Marathi, it is also available in Hindi and English. The Hindi language version of the newspaper name published as Lokmat Samachar^[5] and the English version is named Lokmat Times.^[6]

Lokmat

Lokmat Brand Logo
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Founder(s)	Jawaharlal Darda
Publisher	Lokmat Media Limited
Editor-in-chief	Rajendra Darda and Vijay J. Darda
Founded	December 15, 1971; 51 years ago (1971-12-15)
Language	Marathi, Hindi, English
Headquarters	Lokmat Media Ltd, 1301/2, Lodha Supremus, Dr. E. Moses Rd, Worli Circle, Mumbai - 400 018
Country	India
Circulation	(as of Jul - Dec 2015)
Readership	20 million readers (Total readership, IRS 2017) ^[1]
Website	lokmat.com lokmattimes.com lokmat.net lokmatnews.in
Media of India List of newspapers

Broadcast news channel

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.^[7]

Controversies

2015 ISIS cartoon controversy

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.^{[8][9][10][11]} Police stated that they had increased security at all Lokmat offices across Maharashtra following the attacks.^[10]

See also

• Lokmat in Hindi
• Lokmat in English
• Lokmat in Marathi
• Alternate Publication in Marathi

References

1. "Submission of circulation figures for the audit period Jan - Jun 16" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulations. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
2. . Exchange4Media News Service. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
3. "IRS 2017: Newspapers add 11.2 crore readers in 4 years; no English dailies in top 10". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
4. "IRS 2017: Newspapers add 11.2 cr readers in 4 yrs; no English". Outlook. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
5. "Lokmat Times: Main Editions | Online Daily English Newspaper | Online English Epaper | Daily English Epaper | लोकमत वृत्तपत्रे". epaper.lokmat.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
6. "Lokmat Times: Main Editions | Online Daily English Newspaper | Online English Epaper | Daily English Epaper | लोकमत वृत्तपत्रे". epaper.lokmat.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
7. "Marathi news channel to be JV with Lokmat: GBN". Moneycontrol.com. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
8. Saurabh Gupta (1 December 2015). "Offices of Lokmat Newspaper Attacked Over Piggy Bank Cartoon". NDTV. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
9. "FIR against Marathi daily". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
10. "Marathi daily attacked for publishing 'derogatory' cartoon". Daily News & Analysis. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
11. Saikia, Arunabh (30 November 2015). "Lokmat having to apologise for a cartoon on ISIS shows the sorry state of press freedom in India". newslaundry.com. Newslaundry. Retrieved 11 March 2018.