Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Union government to restore access to the Ananda Vikatan website, which was blocked after the publication of a controversial cartoon featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
Court Orders Unblocking of Ananda Vikatan Website
• The cartoon, which criticized India’s response to the shackling of illegal Indian immigrants deported from the US, triggered a political storm.
• Following a complaint by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ordered the website’s blocking.
• The cartoon depicted PM Modi in shackles seated next to Trump, leading to backlash from BJP leaders.
Political Reactions and Criticism
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin strongly condemned the move, calling it a “fascist act.”
• “Shutting down media websites for their views is not good for democracy. This is an example of the fascist nature of BJP. I urge the Union government to immediately unblock the website,” he stated.
• Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay also slammed the decision, asserting that press freedom must be upheld.
• “If media opinions are wrong or target the government, the issue should be addressed legally, not by suppressing free speech,” Vijay remarked.
• He further stated that TVK will always oppose such fascist actions, whether by the Union or State governments.
BJP Defends Website Blocking
• Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad defended the move, arguing that while media has the right to critique, it must not cross limits.
• “Though media has the right to criticize officials and the government, it does not have the right to mock the country and its 140 crore people,” he said.
With the Madras High Court’s intervention, the Ananda Vikatan website is expected to be unblocked, reinforcing the importance of press freedom in democracy.
