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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday sharply criticized the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, accusing it of deliberately blocking the censor certificate for actor-politician Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan and calling the move an “attack on Tamil culture.” His direct intervention adds a significant political dimension to the ongoing controversy and could strain the Congress’s alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Sharing a social media post on X, Gandhi said, “You can never suppress the voice of the Tamils, Mr. Modi,” framing the delay as an attempt by the central government to target Vijay, who has announced that Jana Nayagan will be his last film before he transitions to full-time politics with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Political implications within the DMK alliance
Rahul Gandhi’s vocal support for Vijay aligns with earlier statements from Tamil Nadu Congress leaders who have consistently backed the actor amid the censor row. However, his direct attack on the Centre over a film featuring a political rival to the DMK has created unease within the ruling coalition. With the DMK being part of the INDIA bloc at the national level, Gandhi’s stance places its state unit in an awkward position, especially when the party has remained largely silent on the issue.
Jana Nayagan controversy
Jana Nayagan, directed by H. Vinoth, has been stuck in a certification deadlock for weeks. The Madras High Court recently stayed a single-judge order that directed the CBFC to issue a U/A certificate, with the next hearing scheduled for January 21. The CBFC has cited concerns over “religious sentiments” and unauthorized use of armed forces symbols as reasons for the delay—a justification the Congress now appears to be contesting openly.
