Sat Feb 22 22:55:00 UTC 2025: **Indian Magazine’s Website Blocked After Modi Cartoon Controversy**
CHENNAI, India (February 23, 2025) – The website of Ananda Vikatan, a prominent Tamil-language magazine, was blocked in India following the publication of a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi shackled alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump. The cartoon, appearing in the magazine’s February 10th digital edition, was interpreted as a commentary on the deportation of Indian migrants from the U.S.
The blocking, which occurred on February 15th, followed a complaint from the BJP’s Tamil Nadu president, K. Annamalai, to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Annamalai accused the magazine of being a mouthpiece for the ruling DMK party.
While the Union government has not publicly acknowledged the blocking, The Hindu has confirmed through multiple sources that the MIB issued the order, directing the Department of Telecommunications to instruct internet providers to block access to the Vikatan website.
The action has sparked outrage, with the magazine and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemning it as an attack on freedom of expression. Vikatan argues the cartoon was satirical commentary and not an incitement to violence.
The blocking was enacted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which allows for website blocking in the interests of national security or public order. However, critics point to the lack of prior notice to Vikatan, a violation of standard procedure under the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. While a notice was eventually issued under the 2021 IT Rules, it failed to address the website’s broader inaccessibility.
Vikatan has presented its case to the I&B Ministry and plans to challenge the blocking in court if the ruling does not uphold principles of press freedom. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding censorship and the limitations on freedom of expression in India.
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