BJP and DMK Engage in War of Words Over Tamil Website Allegedly Blocked for PM-Trump Cartoon
Tamil Media Group Vikatan’s Website Blocked After Publishing Satirical Cartoon
Popular Tamil media group Vikatan faced backlash and censorship after publishing a satirical cartoon on its website, www.vikatan.com, depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump. The cartoon portrayed over 300 illegal Indian immigrants deported from the US in shackles, landing in Punjab on military aircraft.
Blockage of Website and Response from Vikatan
Following the publication of the cartoon on February 10, Vikatan reported that its website was blocked for many users from different locations. The media group expressed its commitment to freedom of expression and threatened legal action if the government continued to block its website without an official announcement.
Political Responses to the Cartoon
The controversy escalated when the BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief, K Annamalai, filed complaints against Vikatan with the Press Council of India and junior Information and Broadcasting Minister L Murugan. Annamalai accused Vikatan of being a mouthpiece for the DMK and publishing offensive content against Prime Minister Modi. He criticized the cartoon for undermining the government’s efforts in the deportation issue.
Reactions from Political Figures and Celebrities
Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the central government for blocking Vikatan’s website, calling it detrimental to democracy. Actor-politician Vijay and Kamal Haasan also condemned the censorship, emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of expression.
Continued Controversy and Counterpoints
Despite the backlash, the central government has not issued a response to the matter. Narayanan Thirupathy, a senior BJP leader in Tamil Nadu, questioned the Chief Minister’s stance on freedom of expression, highlighting past arrests of individuals critical of the government.
In conclusion, the censorship of Vikatan’s website has sparked a debate on freedom of expression and the role of the media in democratic societies. The ongoing controversy underscores the need to balance political sensitivities with the fundamental right to free speech.