Congress leaders criticise delay in censor board clearance for Vijay’s Jana Nayagan

Congress leaders, on Thursday (January 8, 2026), criticised the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for not granting a censor certificate to the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, describing the move as an attack on freedom of expression and as an instance of the growing politicisation of statutory institutions.

‘Freedom of expression being weakened’

In a social media post, Virudhunagar Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore said the Modi government was responding to a lack of public confidence in “RSS-backed narratives” by attempting to control cinema and creative expression. He said Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, but this right is being systematically weakened through fear rather than law.

Mr. Tagore alleged that institutions such as the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the CBI, and the Income Tax department have been turned into tools to silence dissent, and the CBFC has now been added to that list. He said institutions meant to protect democracy were being reduced to instruments of intimidation, while BJP-RSS propaganda is promoted as culture. 

‘Censor board being used as political tool’

Karur Congress Member of Parliament S. Jothimani also criticised the denial of certification to Jana Nayagan. She said that a film is created through the hard work of hundreds of people and investments worth crores of rupees, and attempting to block it in this manner is completely against creative freedom. She said blocking films for political reasons is especially dangerous.

Referring to her experience as a former member of the censor board, Jothimani said the institution has become outdated in the present technological era, and that it is increasingly being used as a political tool. Such misuse must be firmly opposed, she said.

Centre once again insulting Tamils: Praveen Chakravarty

Praveen Chakravarty, chairperson of the All India Professionals’ Congress and the Chairman of the Data Analytics department, referring to a tweet by Rahul Gandhi in 2017, said that nearly nine years ago, the Congress leader had warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi against undermining Tamil culture and pride by suppressing Tamil cinema, but the warning has been ignored, with the Centre once again insulting the Tamil people by deliberately withholding a censor certificate for Jana Nayagan and blocking its release.

‘Respect creative freedom’

Girish Chodankar, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, alleged that the controversy over Jana Nayagan reflected a misuse of political power. He said political differences should not lead to censorship of cinema and cautioned that the people of Tamil Nadu would not tolerate attempts to target artistic expression for political gain.

Claiming that pressure on authorities had delayed the film’s release, Mr. Chodankar said this was unfair to the producers and fans, and urged the Prime Minister to ensure that art and entertainment are kept out of political battles and that creative freedom is respected.