Modi-Trump cartoon leads to Vikatan website blockage after BJP leader’s complaint

The website of Tamil media group Vikatan (www.vikatan.com) was reportedly inaccessible for several hours after the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP raised objections to a cartoon that depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi shackled and sitting next to former US President Donald Trump in its digital magazine.

Censoring the website for the cartoon, which appeared on February 10 in Vikatan Plus and illustrated the alleged mistreatment of Indian deportees by US authorities, has drawn condemnation from both the political and media fraternity, including Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin and veteran journalist N. Ram, The Wire reported.

BJP supporters, including Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, criticised the cartoon and claimed it was a deliberate attempt to undermine Modi’s diplomatic engagement with the US.

The Vikatan group, in an official statement, confirmed that it had not received any communication from the Union government regarding the website’s inaccessibility, though several users on X reported difficulties accessing it.

In response to mounting concerns, Vikatan reiterated its commitment to press freedom, stating that it has upheld free speech for nearly a century and would continue to do so. The publication further asserted that it was still attempting to determine the reasons behind the website’s blockage and was in the process of raising the issue with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The media house also noted that Annamalai had reportedly filed a complaint with the central government, prompting speculation that political pressure may have influenced the website's apparent inaccessibility.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly condemned the move, asserting that blocking a media organisation for expressing its views was undemocratic and a reflection of the BJP’s authoritarian tendencies. In a post on X, he demanded immediate restoration of access to Vikatan’s website and called the government’s action a direct attack on press freedom.

Similarly, eminent journalist N. Ram of The Hindu group criticised the development, calling it illegal and deeply concerning. He pointed out that Vikatan had received no formal notice regarding the blocking of its website and argued that the decision seemed to be politically motivated.

Ram explained that the cartoon, though controversial, fell well within the boundaries of legitimate journalism, as it symbolically portrayed Modi’s perceived inaction on the mistreatment of Indian deportees. He added that the backlash from BJP supporters appeared to have led to an arbitrary restriction on the website, which was unjustifiable in a democratic setup.

According to Ram, the sudden unavailability of Vikatan’s website suggested interference from the central government, particularly since users across different locations reported similar access issues.

Meanwhile, Annamalai has lodged a formal complaint with the Press Council of India and the minister of state for information and broadcasting, L. Murugan, demanding action against Vikatan for publishing the cartoon.

He claimed that the depiction was an attempt to damage India’s diplomatic standing and was meant to please the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu. The BJP leader also alleged that the cartoon violated journalistic ethics and urged authorities to take appropriate measures against the publication.

The issue has sparked widespread condemnation, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MP D. Ravikumar writing to Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the government to clarify whether a blocking order had been issued.

Several journalists’ organisations and civil rights groups have also denounced the move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent where political pressure can be used to silence the media. The Chennai Press Club and other media collectives described the alleged restriction as an attack on democracy, arguing that the government’s lack of transparency raises serious concerns about its commitment to upholding press freedom.

Amid the controversy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has now reportedly issued a notice to Vikatan, informing the media house that a request for blocking certain content had been received. The ministry also stated that a meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee under the IT Rules, 2021, was scheduled for February 17, during which Vikatan would have the opportunity to present its clarifications.