The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has continued to block access to Tamil news organisation Vikatan over a cartoon critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, Vikatan on Thursday, February 27, stated that it is exploring legal options to defend its right to freedom of expression and restore access to its website.
On February 15, Vikatan’s website was blocked after publishing a cover-page cartoon depicting Modi as fearful and shackled, while seated next to US President Donald Trump. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, offended by the satirical portrayal, filed a complaint, prompting the Union government’s intervention.
Vikatan said the government took this action without prior notice. Later, on February 20, after an inquiry, Vikatan submitted a detailed explanation asserting its right to publish the cartoon under freedom of expression.
“On the night of February 25, the central government's Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a final order regarding the matter,” Vikatan said in a statement. “In response, Vikatan is now consulting legal experts to determine the next steps. The publication is pursuing all legal avenues to defend freedom of expression and restore access to the website.”
Vikatan’s statement suggests the Union government was not satisfied with its explanation.
Condemning the action, journalist N Ram, director of The Hindu Publishing Group said, “Blocking the website of a century-old magazine group for publishing a cartoon provides rich material for a hundred cartoonists — imagine what the genius R.K. Laxman would have done with this one!”
“Oppose the arbitrary and lawless — Orwellian — assault on freedom of expression by India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Stand in solidarity with VikatanForFreedomOfExpression.”