Vijay’s film row reaches SC, Rahul Gandhi says Centre attacking Tamil culture

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of attacking Tamil culture amid a controversy over the censor clearance of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor-turned-politician Vijay.

In a post on X, Gandhi alleged intolerance on the part of the Centre towards dissenting voices. “The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block Jana Nayagan is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” he said, backing the outrage expressed in Tamil Nadu.

The controversy centres on the certification of Jana Nayagan, one of the most anticipated Tamil films of the year and widely viewed as politically significant due to Vijay’s growing political profile. The actor recently launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and has emerged as a major political force with strong appeal among young voters. The film was expected to be his final release before fully entering active politics.

Scheduled for a January release, Jana Nayagan ran into trouble after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) delayed issuing a certificate, reportedly citing concerns over certain scenes and symbols. The film’s producers approached the Madras High Court, which initially directed the CBFC to grant certification. That order was, however, stayed by a division bench, putting the release on hold.

The matter has now reached the Supreme Court, where the CBFC has filed a caveat seeking to be heard before any order is passed. The board has argued that it requires time to examine specific aspects of the film, including the alleged use of sensitive imagery.

The SC has not yet taken up the matter for hearing. The case was notably absent from Tuesday’s cause list, though a hearing is expected later this week. The delay, coming just days ahead of the Pongal festival, has fuelled allegations of deliberate stalling.