CBFC is delaying certification of Vijay’s Jananayagan: TVK

CHENNAI: Leaders of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Monday accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of deliberately delaying the certification of actor Vijay’s upcoming film, Jananayagan, stating that the delay could affect its scheduled release on Jan 9 and trigger a public backlash.TVK joint general secretary C T R Nirmal Kumar said attempts to obstruct the film’s release were politically motivated and would not go unnoticed by the public. “At a time when people across Tamil Nadu are waiting with hope for our leader’s film, preventing its certification is not right. They viewed the film on Dec 19, and there was no update on the certification. Any attempt to stop the release of a film will only turn against those responsible,” he said.TVK chief coordinator K A Sengottaiyan echoed the charge, saying the delay was not merely about a film but about silencing a growing political voice. “Preventing the release of a film made by someone whom the people see as a future chief minister is unacceptable. If anyone thinks such obstacles will weaken him, they must understand it will only backfire,” he said.Shifting to law-and-order issues, Nirmal Kumar criticised BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran for making statements without follow-up action on the Karur stampede case, in which 41 people died.

He said if BJP truly believed its allegation that DMK minister V Senthil Balaji was responsible, it should push central agencies to act. “You are making such serious allegations in the presence of the Union home minister; why was there no summons, inquiry, or arrest?” he asked.Nirmal Kumar attacked the state and Union govts over welfare and employee-related policies, calling the continuation of the contributory pension scheme a “deception” despite repeated promises to restore the old pension scheme.Several prominent figures and grassroots-level functionaries from other political parties, including DMK, AIADMK, BJP, VCK and NTK, have joined TVK. They include late Congress chief minister K Kamaraja’s granddaughter Mayuri, former NTK leader Jegadesa Pandian, and former AIADMK MLAs.