PM Modi cartoon row: Madras HC directs Union govt to unblock 'Ananada Vikatan' website

NEW DELHI: The Madras high court on Thursday ordered the Union government to restore access to the

Ananda Vikatan website

, which was blocked after the publication of a controversial cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
The cartoon was a critique of India's alleged silent respons on shackling of illegal Indian immigrants deported from the United States.
The website was taken down after

Tamil Nadu BJP

chief K Annamalai filed a complaint with the ministry of information and broadcasting. The cartoon, which showed PM Modi in shackles seated next to Trump, sparked backlash from BJP leaders.
Last month, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin strongly criticised the central government’s action, calling it a "fascist act." He condemned the blocking of Ananda Vikatan’s online portal, stating, "Shutting down media websites for their views is not good for democracy. This is an example of the fascist nature of BJP. I urge you (Union govt) to immediately unblock the website."

The move to block the website faced widespread criticism from political leaders, including Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay. Supporting

press freedom

, Vijay said, "If the opinions expressed by the media are wrong or if it targets govt, then the issue should be sorted out through the courts and not by curtailing freedom of expression."
He also condemned the action as a "fascist approach" and asserted, "Whether it was Union govt or state govt which adopts such fascist approach, TVK will always oppose it."
Defending the move, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad argued that while the media has the right to critique the government, it should not cross certain limits. "Though the media has the right to criticise the officials and govt, it does not have the right to make fun of the country and its 140 crore people," he stated.