Amid growing uncertainty over the release of actor Vijay's film Jana Nayagan, following the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) refusal to grant clearance, the Congress party on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Union government, accusing it of systematically undermining the right to freedom of speech and expression in the country.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the Narendra Modi government of weaponising the censor board to control the cinema industry. In a post on X, he stated:
"ED, CBI, IT — all turned into frontal organs to silence dissent. Now, even the Censor Board is being weaponised to control cinema and ideas. Institutions that should protect democracy are being reduced to tools of intimidation, while BJP-RSS propaganda is passed off as 'culture'," Tagore said.
He emphasised that cinema did not need political clearance but constitutional protection, adding, "Democracy cannot survive when art is forced to kneel before power."
Tagore also noted that when films promoting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) propaganda fail to attract public interest, the central government responds by exercising control over the film industry.
“Now the film industry is in the crosshairs. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression. But under I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this right is being systematically weakened through fear, not law,” he said.
Congress MP Jothimani also condemned the CBFC's refusal to clear Jana Nayagan, describing it as an attack on the Tamil film industry.
"The refusal of the Central Government's Censorship Board to grant a certificate to Jana Nayagan deserves the strongest condemnation. This is an attack on the Tamil film industry. Regardless of our political affiliations, preferences, or dislikes, every individual who believes in freedom of expression must condemn this," she said.
Jothimani echoed Tagore’s concerns, saying that the censor board was being used as a political tool by the government. She stressed that attempts to suppress films were antithetical to creative freedom.
"Following the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and Income Tax Department, the Censorship Board has now become a political weapon of the Modi government. We cannot remain silent spectators to this," she added.
Having served on the censorship committee for several years, Jothimani further questioned the relevance of the board in the current technological age.
"In my view, the Censorship Board is an outdated institution. Whether to accept or reject a film should lie in the hands of the people," she said.
Jana Nayagan, which is expected to be Vijay’s final movie, has now been postponed ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The film was originally scheduled for release on January 9, 2026.
The Congress MPs’ backing for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief is also seen as a subtle message to the DMK, as it comes amid reports of TVK-Congress alliance talks.
Although the Congress maintains that its alliance with the DMK is intact, a recent meeting between Congress office-bearer Praveen Chakravarthy and TVK chief Vijay has stirred political interest. The Congress is reportedly seeking 38 Assembly seats and three Cabinet berths in the event of a DMK-led alliance victory in the polls.