Tamil publication Ananda Vikatan's website allegedly shut down by Centre's orders
Caricature used by media house, of Modi visiting Trump, was seen as offensive by TN BJP leaders and followers; it's not confirmed if this is behind alleged shutdown
The website of 96-year-old Tamil news publication Ananda Vikatan has allegedly been shut down by Union government orders.
It is suspected — but not confirmed — that the shutdown was triggered by a caricature used by the publication, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting US President Donald Trump It was construed as offensive by Tamil Nadu BJP followers and leaders including state unit president K Annamalai.
However, the publishers of the website said there has been no announcement from the Union government. It also vowed to stand up for freedom of expression.
While Vikatan said the site remains open, readers said they couldn't open it.
Freedom of expression
It said in a post on X: "For a century, Vikatan has consistently stood in support of freedom of expression. We have always operated with freedom of speech at the forefront and will continue to do so.
If the website has indeed been blocked by the Central government due to this cover image, we want to make it clear that we will face it legally."
Stalin slams BJP
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said blocking the media outlet for its opinions went against democratic norms and condemned it. “This is an example of the BJP's fascist nature,” he alleged and urged the Centre to restore the website.
Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai was among the leaders who condemned the alleged action by the Centre. TVK chief Vijay said the action was tantamount to crippling freedom of expression.
Reacting to CM Stalin's criticism, BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy asked whether the chief minister was aware of the concept of freedom of expression. “Please talk about freedom of expression after reading the list of persons who were arrested during the past four years for criticising you and your government,” the BJP leader said.
DMK’s mouthpiece?
Earlier, Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai on Saturday (February 15) wrote to Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, seeking suitable action against Vikatan magazine for its “cover picture aimed at defaming PM Modi” and also explained the cartoon's features and termed it offensive.
“Freedom of press does not give a licence to a newspaper to malign a political leader by publishing fake and defamatory writings,” Annamalai said in his plaint. The Tamil Nadu BJP top leader said two separate representations had been sent – one to the chairperson of the Press Council of India and another to Union Minister Murugan seeking prompt action against Vikatan magazine “for being a mouthpiece of the DMK and for publishing offensive and baseless content,” against PM Modi.