Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government on Friday, accusing it of transforming the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) into a political instrument. He asserted that the film certification body has now joined the ranks of central investigative agencies as a tool for intimidation.
CBFC Branded a "New Weapon" for Intimidation
In a strongly worded statement, Stalin charged that the CBFC has become "a new weapon" for the Union government, alongside established agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Income Tax department. The Chief Minister's primary allegation is that these institutions are being deployed strategically to pressure and intimidate political opponents of the ruling party at the Centre.
The controversy emerges against the backdrop of two specific Tamil films facing hurdles with the censor board. The films in question are actor-politician Vijay's 'Jananayagan' and another Tamil film titled 'Parasakthi'. Stalin did not explicitly name which film his criticism was directed towards, but the context pointed to the ongoing issues both projects have encountered.
Political Reactions and the Silence of Vijay
The Congress party, which had previously condemned the central government for allegedly blocking Vijay's film, promptly welcomed Stalin's statement. Lok Sabha MP Jothimani called for a united opposition from all parties against any action by the BJP targeting Tamil Nadu. Congress MP Manickam Tagore also publicly endorsed the Chief Minister's position.
However, a notable silence has been maintained by actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay himself and his party regarding the entire issue. This silence has not gone unnoticed and has attracted criticism from other political quarters.
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugham directly questioned Vijay's quiet stance, suggesting it might stem from a fear of the BJP government. He further raised doubts about the effectiveness of criticisms from others when the primary figure at the centre of the controversy remains silent.
BJP's Firm Rejection of Allegations
The BJP has categorically rejected all charges of political interference in the CBFC's functioning. State BJP president Nainar Nagenthran countered the allegations, stating that the censor board operates based on a set of established rules and guidelines.
He emphasized that the board members make their decisions based on the merits of each film and there is no necessity to view the CBFC's decisions through a political lens. The BJP's defence frames the issue as one of procedural adherence rather than political vendetta.
The specific status of the two films remains a focal point. While the CBFC had, at the time of Stalin's remarks, not yet granted clearance for 'Jananayagan', it had issued a certificate for 'Parasakthi' only after mandating multiple cuts. 'Parasakthi' is reportedly based on Tamil Nadu's historic anti-Hindi agitation, adding a layer of cultural and political sensitivity to the censor board's scrutiny.
