Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticized the central government for delaying the release of Tamil actor Vijay's film "Jana Nayagan," calling it an attack on Tamil culture. He made the remarks on social media ahead of attending a school event in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu. Gandhi accused the I&B Ministry of attempting to suppress the voices of Tamil people.
Hours before visiting Gudalur in Tamil Nadu to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations at St Thomas English High School, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, used X to criticize the central government. He targeted the Central Board of Film Certification's delay in clearing the release of the new Tamil film "Jana Nayagan," starring actor-politician Vijay.
"The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture," Gandhi wrote, adding, "Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people."
Vijay had been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Delhi on January 12 regarding a stampede on September 27 during a Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) event in Karur. As of the time of going to print, Vijay had not responded to Gandhi's message.
The Congress and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam began seat-sharing talks in December last year. A DMK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Gandhi's remarks were not necessarily a public show of support for Vijay but an attack on the BJP. "Even our leader (chief minister MK Stalin) has accused the BJP of using the CBFC as a political weapon," the leader said. "There is nothing more to it than that," he asserted firmly.
Later in the day, Gandhi shared the stage at the golden jubilee event with DMK deputy general secretary and Nilgiris MP A Raja. In his address, he said, "I want to help develop an India where people are kind, listen, and respect each other’s languages, religions, traditions. Of all this, the most important aspect I’ve concluded in my political career is humility."