Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for allegedly obstructing the release of actor Vijay’s film ‘Jana Nayagan,’ calling it an attack on Tamil culture. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Centre of using the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to silence Tamil voices. The movie, a farewell project for TVK chief Vijay, faced delays after the Madras High Court halted its certification due to objections raised by the CBFC over politically sensitive dialogues and references.
Political observers suggest that Gandhi’s recent visit to the Nilgiris district, coinciding with the golden jubilee celebrations of a local school, is seen as an attempt to strengthen ties with Vijay’s TVK ahead of the state Assembly elections. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee welcomed Gandhi with posters hailing him as a “Thalaiva (leader),” indicating a firm stance amidst tensions with the ruling DMK party. The DMK’s refusal of a coalition government has led to the Congress demanding a significant number of seats in the upcoming polls to boost its influence.
The delay in certifying the film has sparked a national political discourse. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the CBFC, labeling it as a tool of the BJP, while senior party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan defended the Board’s independence. Soundararajan pointed out that during the Emergency, the Congress curtailed freedom, contrasting the current situation. Congress MP B Manickam Tagore alleged that the Modi government aims to regulate movies critical of the administration.
