Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly expressed his support for actor Vijay. This comes after the actor's upcoming film Jananayagan encountered certification issues.
Gandhi Slams Government Over Film Certification
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X to voice his criticism. He directly addressed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's actions regarding the film.
"The I&B Ministry's attempt to block 'Jana Nayagan' is an attack on Tamil culture," Gandhi stated in his post. He continued with a pointed message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people."
History of Support for Vijay
This is not the first instance where Rahul Gandhi has stood by the popular Tamil actor. Back in 2017, Vijay's film Mersal faced similar obstacles. Certain groups had raised objections to how the film depicted the central government's policies.
At that time, Gandhi had posted another strong message on social media. "Mr Modi, cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language," he wrote. He added a warning, "Don't try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal." This reference cleverly played on the government's demonetization policy while defending artistic freedom.
Solidarity During Tragedy
Rahul Gandhi's connection with Vijay extends beyond cinema. Last year, a tragic stampede occurred at a campaign event for Vijay's political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The event took place in Karur and resulted in the deaths of 41 people.
Following this devastating incident, Rahul Gandhi was one of the first national-level politicians to reach out to Vijay. He offered his condolences to the families who lost loved ones. He also expressed his solidarity with Vijay personally.
This show of support came at a critical time. The actor, who has now entered politics, was facing intense political pressure and investigative scrutiny in the aftermath of the stampede.
The consistent backing from a prominent national leader like Rahul Gandhi highlights the intersection of cinema, culture, and politics in Tamil Nadu. It underscores how film personalities often become central figures in broader cultural and political discussions.
