Vikatan website hit by cartoon row

Vikatan Group said several readers have reported that they are unable to access its website. However, there has been no official confirmation from government sources about the website being blocked.

The development comes amid a cartoon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in chains published in Vikatan Magazine, which BJP supporters criticized.

In a post on X, Vikatan said it is still trying to ascertain the reasons behind its website’s blocking and is taking up the matter with the Union Ministry of Information and of Information and Broadcasting.

Earlier, Vikatan Plus, the digital magazine of Vikatan, published a cover cartoon (February 10, Monday) highlighting the issue of Indians being handcuffed and deported from the United States, while Prime Minister Modi remained silent on the matter.

This cartoon was criticized by BJP supporters, and BJP state president Annamalai reportedly lodged a complaint against Vikatan with the central government, the Group said in a post on X.

In a post on X, Annamalai said his party had filed two separate representations, one with the Chairperson of the Press Council of India and another with Union Minister of State for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, seeking prompt action against Vikatan magazine.