The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has strongly condemned the blocking of Tamil magazine Vikatan's website by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, calling it a blatant instance of government overreach that undermines press freedom. In a statement released on Tuesday, February 18, the Guild expressed shock over the "sudden and arbitrary" blocking of Vikatan.com following a complaint by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai regarding a political cartoon featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Guild noted that no prior notice was issued to the publication, nor was it given an opportunity to respond before the website was taken down. "What is more deplorable is the abrupt manner in which access to the entire web portal was blocked," the Guild said, pointing out that due process was initiated only after the order was enforced.
The Editors Guild also highlighted that the action was taken despite an existing stay by the Bombay High Court on Rule 9(1) and (3) of the IT Rules, 2021. These provisions pertain to the Code of Ethics and limit the government's ability to act against publishers on such grounds. The Guild described the move as "high-handed" and warned that it further deepens concerns over press freedom in India.
"The blocking of the website, coming amid growing concerns over media freedom in the country, does no good to India’s democratic traditions that value fair play and transparency," the statement read. Additionally, the Guild expressed concern over the online harassment and death threats received by the cartoonist responsible for the illustration, calling for greater protection for journalists and media professionals.
Urging the government to roll back the blocking order, the Guild demanded that authorities refrain from "arbitrariness when dealing with free speech and expression."
The Vikatan controversy has sparked widespread outrage, with press bodies and opposition leaders accusing the government of stifling critical voices in the media. The magazine, known for its sharp political cartoons and commentary, has yet to receive a formal explanation from MeitY regarding the website's suspension. As of now, Vikatan remains inaccessible, and media rights groups continue to push for transparency and accountability in government actions concerning digital news platforms.