'Attack on Tamil culture': Rahul Gandhi backs Vijay-starrer ‘Jana Nayagan’, slams Centre over film certification

CHENNAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday extended support to actor Vijay after his upcoming film Jananayagan ran into certification issues.“The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture.

Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” Gandhi said in a post on X.This was not the first time Rahul publicly backed Vijay. In 2017, when Vijay’s film Mersal faced hurdles over objections to its portrayal of the union govt’s policies.

"Mr Modi, cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don't try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal," he posted in 2017.Rahul was also among the earliest national leaders to reach out to Vijay after the stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam campaign event in Karur last year that left 41 people dead.He conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with Vijay as the actor-turned-politician came under political and investigative scrutiny following the incident.