Media Censorship in India: Vikatan Mag Website Blocked Amid BJP’s Critical Cartoon Publication

A critical cartoon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former U.S. President Donald Trump has led to the website of Tamil magazine Vikatan being allegedly blocked, sparking concerns over free speech and censorship.

Vikatan, a prominent Tamil magazine, recently reported that its website was blocked after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers raised objections to a cartoon that criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cartoon, which featured Modi alongside Donald Trump, was created in response to the Prime Minister’s silence over the handcuffing and shackling of Indian immigrants who were deported from the U.S.

According to the magazine, numerous reports have emerged from users across various locations, claiming they were unable to access the Vikatan website. Despite these claims, there has been no official statement from the central government confirming the blocking of the website.

The magazine expressed its concern in a statement, saying that its website was apparently blocked by the central government, though no formal announcement had been made to confirm this action. The reports from users have added to the speculation, but the official reasoning behind the alleged blockage remains unclear.

The cartoon that triggered the controversy was aimed at highlighting what Vikatan perceived as the Prime Minister’s failure to address the issue of Indian immigrants being deported from the U.S. in a humiliating manner. The image, which depicted both Modi and Trump, was quickly criticized by BJP supporters. Annamalai, the BJP state president, reportedly lodged a complaint against the magazine, further escalating the issue.

Vikatan has been a staunch advocate for freedom of expression and has long supported the principle of free speech, even in the face of controversy. The magazine’s statement emphasized that for nearly a century, it has firmly stood by these values and will continue to do so despite the challenges it faces.

As of now, the magazine is working to understand the full extent of the situation and is in the process of taking up the matter with the relevant authorities in the government. They expressed their commitment to continuing the fight for freedom of expression, stressing that the blockage of their website would not deter them from upholding their core principles.