Vikatan Website Blocked; Chennai Press Club Protests
In a shocking move that has sent shockwaves across the country, the website of Tamil magazine Vikatan was blocked by the Union Government on February 15. The reason behind this unprecedented move is a cartoon published in the magazine’s January edition, which is believed to have criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a detailed account, Vikatan has revealed the series of events that led to the blocking of its website and the aftermath that followed.
According to Vikatan, the trouble began when they published a cartoon in their January edition, which was part of a special report on the Prime Minister’s visit to Tamil Nadu. The cartoon, which was meant to be a humorous take on the Prime Minister’s visit, was allegedly deemed offensive by the Union Government. In a move that has been widely condemned, the government decided to block the website of Vikatan, citing “national security” as the reason.
But Vikatan has disputed this claim, stating that the cartoon did not breach any law or regulation. In a statement, the magazine said that the cartoon was a “satirical representation of the Prime Minister’s visit to Chennai” and did not intend to offend anyone. Vikatan also pointed out that the government’s decision to block the website was arbitrary and violated the fundamental right to free speech.
The blocking of Vikatan’s website has been widely condemned by the media and civil society organizations. The Chennai Press Club, which represents journalists and media professionals in the city, has announced a protest against the blocking of Vikatan’s website, terming it a violation of free speech.
The protest, which is scheduled to take place on February 20, is expected to draw participation from journalists, media professionals, and civil society organizations. The protest is aimed at demanding the immediate lifting of the ban on Vikatan’s website and upholding the fundamental right to free speech.
The blocking of Vikatan’s website has also sparked concerns about the government’s increasing tendency to suppress dissenting voices. Many have pointed out that the government’s move is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence critical voices in the media.
The blocking of Vikatan’s website is not the first instance of the government suppressing free speech in recent times. In the past, the government has been accused of blocking websites and social media accounts of individuals and organizations that have been critical of its policies.
The Vikatan incident has also raised concerns about the government’s use of vague and arbitrary reasons to block websites and social media accounts. The government’s claim that the cartoon published in Vikatan was a “threat to national security” has been widely ridiculed, with many pointing out that the cartoon did not contain any offensive or inflammatory language.
In conclusion, the blocking of Vikatan’s website is a clear violation of the fundamental right to free speech and a worrying trend in the government’s increasing tendency to suppress dissenting voices. The protest announced by the Chennai Press Club is a timely reminder of the importance of upholding free speech and the need to protect critical voices in the media.
