Tamil media house Vikatan has alleged its website was “blocked by the central government” after it published a cartoon on Indians being handcuffed during their deportation from the United States.
In a statement issued in the early hours of February 16, Vikatan said the cartoon had been “criticised by BJP supporters, and BJP state president Annamalai reportedly lodged a complaint against Vikatan with the central government”.
We will stand strong in defense of freedom of expression...
— விகடன் (@vikatan) February 15, 2025
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. We are still trying to ascertain the… pic.twitter.com/cjiq1YNEOU
This was the cartoon in question:
Courtesy:Vikatan. The Tamil magazine alleges that the govt has blocked its website following the publication of this cartoon pic.twitter.com/Kz2SDK4mKO
— R. Vijaya Sankar (@Vijayasankar_FL) February 16, 2025
Annamalai had tweeted on February 15 that the BJP state unit had submitted a representation to the Press Council of India and another to L Murugan, the union minister of state in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to take “prompt action against Vikatan magazine for being a mouthpiece of the DMK and for publishing offensive and baseless content” against Narendra Modi.
On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, we have submitted two separate representations today: one to the Chairperson of the Press Council of India and another to our Hon MoS Thiru @Murugan_MoS avl, seeking prompt action against Vikatan magazine for being a mouthpiece of the DMK and for… pic.twitter.com/1PZjr9CClC
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 15, 2025
His complaint to Murugan said Vikatan had “deliberately published” the cartoon to “paint a negative image of the entire diplomatic trip of our Honourable PM to please the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu and cast a shadow on the diplomatic progress made by our Honourable Prime Minister Thiru Narendra Modi…”
He also complained that freedom of speech “does not give the right to newspapers to write about an institution or individual untrue facts even on a lighter note” and that “objective reporting” must not “jeopardise friendly bilateral relations”.
His complaint included photos of past cartoons published by Vikatan.
Vikatan is one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest media houses and will turn 100 next year.
The media house’s statement said there has been “no official announcement from the central government regarding the blocking of the Vikatan website”.
“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. 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,” the statement said.
As reported by The News Minute, multiple BJP handles celebrated the action against Vikatan.
The moment @vikatan was taken over by Ultra Naxals portraying themselves as Journalists its downfall became imminent.
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) February 15, 2025
Today, #Vikatan is at its lowest. I'm glad they're being taken to task now.
One step at a time. More to face the heat. pic.twitter.com/cxZooepgLV
Hey @arivalayam oopies, Just wanted to check in and see how is the Josh? By the way, Vikatan is website is currently down!
— M.Vinoth 2026 BJP4TamilNadu (@MVinothOffl) February 16, 2025
Until they properly respond to @MIB_India
This is just the start pic.twitter.com/2QUBqU91pt
Let this #Vikatan media website ban be the stepping stone for the foundation of the bias-free media
— N Ramachandran (@RAM_BJP) February 15, 2025
Special thanks to @annamalai_k and @Murugan_MoS for setting a great example of how badly it will end for anyone who dares to mock India under the guise of mocking BJP. pic.twitter.com/mg9BCKgCSK
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also took note of the news and tweeted that “blocking the media for expressing opinions is not good for democracy”.
இதழியலில் நூறாண்டு காலமாக இயங்கி வரும் @vikatan-னின் இணையத்தளம் முடக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதற்குக் கண்டனத்தைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 16, 2025
கருத்துகளுக்காக ஊடகங்கள் முடக்கப்படுவது ஜனநாயகத்துக்கு அழகல்ல! பா.ஜ.க.,வின் பாசிசத் தன்மைக்கு இது எடுத்துக்காட்டு ஆகும். முடக்கப்பட்ட இணையத்தளத்துக்கு…
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