Chief minister M K Stalin condemned the BJP government for blocking the online portal of Tamil magazine ‘Ananda Vikatan’ after it published a cartoon critical of PM Modi. The ‘Vikatan’ website was blocked after a cartoon depicting PM Narendra Modi in shackles, seated next to US President Donald Trump, was published. The cartoon was a critical take on India’s alleged silence on US shackling illegal Indian immigrants when they were deported. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president actor Vijay too called it a fascist approach. \”Whether it was Union govt or state govt which adopts such fascist approach, TVK will always oppose it,\” he said. TN BJP spokesperson A N S Prasad justified the blocking of Vikatan website saying that though the media has the right to criticise the officials and govt, it does not have a right to make fun of the country and its 140 crore people. \”If the opinions expressed by the media are wrong, then the issue should be sorted out through the courts and not by curtailing freedom of expression,\” Vijay said.
