Modi-Trump Cartoon | Madras High Court Directs Centre To Lift Ban On Website Of Tamil Weekly Ananda Vikatan

Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy directed the government to lift the ban on the website and asked the magazine to temporarily take down the page containing the cartoon. 

The cartoon in question showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in shackles and chains, sitting with President of United States Donald Trump. The website www.vikatan.com was blocked on February 25, 2025, stating that the website impinged upon the sovereignty of the country.

Senior Advocate Vijay Narayan, appearing for Vikatan, argued that the cartoon did not affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country or the country's friendly relations with the  United States. He added that the freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution could be curtailed on specific circumstances provided under the Article. In the present case, he argued that the cartoon did not fall under any of the grounds mentioned in the Article for curtailing the speech and expression.

It was also submitted that the Central government had failed to provide details of the complainant. Emphasising on journalistic freedom, it was submitted that it was common for magazines to publish cartoons on political leaders but it was uncommon for them to be subjected to such harsh actions.

ASG ARL Sundaresan, on the other hand, argued that the cartoon would affect India's relations with the United States. He submitted that Article 19(2) of the Constitution and Section 69A of the Information Technology Act provides for reasonable restriction on content if it is satisfied that such restriction is necessary in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State. friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to the above issues. Thus, he argued that the Centre had power to block the website.

Opposing the lifting of ban, Sundaresan argued that lifting the ban would amount to allowing the main petition itself. He also pointed out that a committee appointed by the Ministry has decided that the website would be made accessible again if the offending cartoon was removed from the website.

The Court suggested that the website need not be blocked until the issues are decided and thus directed the website to temporarily remove the page containing the allegedly offending cartoon. Directing the government to file counter to the plea, the court adjourned the case by 2 weeks.

Case Title: Ananda Vikatan Productions Private Ltd and Others v. Union of India

Case No: WP 7944 of 2025