Tamil digital magazine Vikatan has claimed that its website became inaccessible to readers following a complaint by the BJP to the central government over a cartoon allegedly depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an offensive manner.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and leaders of various political parties, who have criticized the alleged blocking of the website as an attack on freedom of expression.

In a social media post, Vikatan stated that numerous users from different locations reported being unable to access its website. However, the magazine clarified that there has been no official communication from the central government regarding the alleged block.

The controversy stems from a cover cartoon published by Vikatan Plus, the magazine’s digital edition, on February 10. The cartoon reportedly highlighted the issue of Indians being handcuffed and deported from the United States while Prime Minister Modi remained silent on the matter. The depiction drew sharp criticism from BJP supporters, with Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai lodging a formal complaint against the magazine with the central government.

Vikatan, asserting its commitment to freedom of expression, said it is investigating the reasons behind the alleged blocking of its website and has raised the issue with the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the alleged action, calling it undemocratic and reflective of the BJP’s “fascist nature.” He urged the central government to restore access to the website, emphasizing that blocking a media outlet for its opinions undermines democratic principles.

Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthagai and TVK chief Vijay also criticized the central government’s alleged move, with Vijay describing it as an attempt to stifle freedom of expression.

In response to Stalin’s remarks, BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy questioned the chief minister’s understanding of freedom of expression. “Before speaking about freedom of expression, the chief minister should review the list of individuals arrested in the past four years for criticizing him and his government,” Thirupathy said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai defended the party’s complaint, stating that the cartoon was offensive and aimed at defaming PM Modi. In a letter to Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Annamalai sought action against Vikatan for publishing what he called “fake and defamatory content.”

“Freedom of the press does not grant a newspaper the license to malign a political leader with baseless and defamatory writings,” Annamalai said in his complaint. He also revealed that two separate representations had been sent—one to the Press Council of India and another to Minister Murugan—urging prompt action against Vikatan for allegedly acting as a “mouthpiece of the DMK” and publishing offensive content against PM Modi.

The incident has reignited debates over press freedom and the limits of political satire in India, with critics accusing the BJP of suppressing dissent and opposition leaders rallying behind Vikatan. As the controversy unfolds, the central government has yet to issue an official statement on the alleged blocking of the magazine’s website.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has unveiled a series of significant budget cuts, including the elimination of a $21 million allocation aimed at boosting “voter turnout in India.” The announcement was made in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15.

President Donald Trump appointed Musk last month to lead the newly established DOGE, tasking him with streamlining governance and reducing wasteful spending. In its post, the department listed several programs that would no longer receive funding, emphasizing its commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“U.S. taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” the DOGE stated. Among the cuts was  $486 million in grants to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening” including $22 million for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova and $21 million for “voter turnout in India”. No further details about the specific programs or their objectives were provided.

The announcement comes just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S., where he held discussions with President Trump and met with Musk. During their meeting, Musk and Modi explored potential collaborations in space exploration, mobility, technology, and energy, while also exchanging ideas on improving governance in their respective countries.

The DOGE has announced previously cancelled funding, which includes $29 million for “strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh,” $20 million designated for “fiscal federalism” in Nepal, and $19 million aimed at “biodiversity conservation” in the Himalayan nation.

Further cuts include a $10 million grant for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision,” $2.3 million for initiatives to “strengthen independent voices in Cambodia,” $32 million to the Prague Civil Society Centre, $40 million for a “gender equality and women empowerment hub,” and $14 million allocated to “improving public procurement” in Serbia, among other reductions. Additionally, the budget accounted for $47 million intended for “improving learning outcomes in Asia.”

The DOGE’s sweeping budget reductions reflect its mandate to prioritize efficiency and eliminate what it deems non-essential expenditures. While the move has been praised by advocates of fiscal conservatism, it has also sparked debate over the potential impact of these cuts on international development and diplomatic relations.

As the DOGE continues its review of government spending, the announcement underscores the Trump administration’s focus on reducing foreign aid and reallocating resources to domestic priorities. The long-term implications of these cuts, particularly on U.S. partnerships and global initiatives, remain to be seen.

The Congress on Sunday called for the immediate resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, holding him morally responsible for the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that claimed 18 lives.

Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused Vaishnaw of gross mismanagement and demanded his removal if he failed to step down voluntarily.

Shrinate highlighted the lack of proper crowd management at the railway station, stating that officials were fully aware of the large influx of passengers, with approximately 1,500 tickets being sold every hour. Despite this, no adequate arrangements were made to handle the crowd, leading to chaos and tragedy.

“There were no security forces present to manage the situation. The crowd was left to fend for itself, which resulted in this devastating incident,” she said.

The Congress leader also criticized the stark contrast between the treatment of the elite and the common people, pointing to the VIP culture at the ongoing Kumbh Mela. “In this country, there are two Hindustans. On one side, the king helps his friends take a holy bath at the Kumbh, while on the other, common people are dying on railway platforms,” she alleged.

Shrinate emphasized that the stampede was not merely an accident but a “massacre” resulting from systemic failures. “What happened at New Delhi Railway Station last night is not an accident but a massacre. Seeing the scene there, my heart was shaken. Devotees full of faith and belief came to visit the Kumbh, but no arrangements were made for their safety,” she said.

She further accused Vaishnaw of neglecting his duties and focusing on building his public image instead of addressing critical issues. “Ashwini Vaishnaw has completely failed in his responsibility. He is busy making reels and trying to hide the deaths instead of offering condolences to the victims’ families. He has no moral right to remain in his position even for a minute,” Shrinate asserted.

The Congress leader also recounted harrowing eyewitness accounts of the incident, describing how porters had to carry the bodies of stampede victims. “Hearing these accounts sent a chill down my spine. This is a grave failure of the government and the railway administration,” she said.

Shrinate reiterated the party’s demand for Vaishnaw’s resignation, stating, “We have only one demand: the Railway Minister must resign immediately, taking moral responsibility for this tragedy. If he does not step down, he should be sacked. The Indian Railways and its passengers cannot be left in the hands of such an irresponsible minister.”

The Congress’s strong condemnation of the incident has intensified pressure on the government, with calls for accountability and better management of public infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future. As investigations into the stampede continue, the families of the victims await justice and assurances that such negligence will not be repeated.