Vikatan website 'blocked' after Tamil Nadu BJP protests cartoon on PM Modi

Chennai: Vikatan, one of the legacy media groups in Tamil Nadu with a bouquet of magazines, on Saturday night said its website was “blocked”, hours after Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai demanded action against the media company for depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hands being chained while sitting opposite to US President Donald Trump.

The cartoon was apparently referring to Modi not taking up the issue of US authorities handcuffing illegal immigrants who were sent back to India during his meeting with trump. 

While the website was accessible for a few people inside and outside India on select browsers and phones, BJP leaders posted pictures of the website being inaccessible.

As confusion prevailed over the ban, Vikatan issued a statement late Saturday night saying it has stood firmly in support of freedom of expression for a century. 

“We have always operated with the principle of upholding free speech and will continue to do so. We are still trying to ascertain the reasons behind the blocking of our website, and are in the process of taking up this matter with the ministry,” the statement added.