Chennai, February 16 — Vikatan, a prominent Tamil Nadu-based media group, has reported that its website was blocked on Saturday night following protests from the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chained hands. The cartoon, published in Vikatan’s digital magazine Vikatan Plus, appeared to reference Modi’s silence on the issue of U.S. authorities handcuffing and deporting Indian immigrants during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
While the website remained accessible to some users in India and abroad on certain browsers and devices, BJP leaders shared screenshots indicating that the site was inaccessible. Vikatan, in a statement released late Saturday, expressed uncertainty about the alleged block and reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression.
“We have always operated with the principle of upholding free speech and will continue to do so,” the statement read. “We are still trying to ascertain the reasons behind the blocking of our website and are in the process of taking up this matter with the ministry.”
As of now, there has been no official confirmation or statement from the central government regarding the alleged blocking of Vikatan’s website.
The controversy stems from a cover cartoon published in Vikatan Plus on February 10, 2025, which depicted Prime Minister Modi with his hands and legs chained, standing alongside U.S. President Donald Trump. The cartoon was interpreted as a critique of Modi’s reported silence on the handcuffing of Indian immigrants deported from the U.S. The publication drew sharp criticism from BJP supporters, with Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai lodging a formal complaint with the central government.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the reported blocking of Vikatan’s website, calling it an attack on democratic values. In a social media post on Sunday, Stalin said, “It is not fitting for a democracy to block the media over their opinions. It is only another example of the fascist nature of the BJP government.” He further urged the central government to take action to restore access to the website, highlighting Vikatan’s century-long legacy in journalism.
Vikatan, in a follow-up statement, reiterated its commitment to journalistic integrity and freedom of expression. “For nearly a century, Vikatan has stood firmly in support of freedom of expression. We have always operated with the principle of upholding free speech and will continue to do so,” the group said. It added that it was investigating the reasons behind the alleged block and engaging with relevant authorities to resolve the issue.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about press freedom in India, with critics accusing the government of suppressing dissenting voices. Vikatan, founded in 1926, is one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest and most respected media organizations, known for its editorial independence and cultural impact.
As the situation unfolds, media watchdogs and civil society groups are closely monitoring developments, calling for transparency and accountability in the handling of the alleged website block. No official response has yet been issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting or other relevant government bodies.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
