Sun Feb 16 05:55:10 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu CM Condemns Blocking of Vikatan Website After Controversial Cartoon

**Chennai, February 16, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has strongly condemned the reported blocking of the website of Tamil media house ‘Vikatan.’ The action follows the publication of a cartoon in Vikatan Plus depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his hands and legs chained alongside U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a social media post, Mr. Stalin denounced the move as an affront to democratic principles and indicative of the BJP government’s “fascist nature.” He called for immediate action to restore access to the website, highlighting Vikatan’s century-long history in journalism and its commitment to freedom of expression.

The cartoon, published earlier this month, commented on Prime Minister Modi’s perceived silence regarding the handcuffing of several Indians deported from the U.S. While the cartoon drew criticism from BJP supporters, including a complaint lodged by the state unit president K. Annamalai with the Central Government, Vikatan maintains it has received no official confirmation of the website’s blocking. The publication stated it is investigating the matter and engaging with the Ministry. Separately, the Madras High Court recently ordered the publishers of Junior Vikatan to pay ₹25 lakh in compensation to DMK leader T.R. Baalu. The nature of this unrelated case was not specified.

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