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

Thu Jan 08 08:03:25 UTC 2026: ### Congress Condemns Censor Board’s Refusal to Certify Vijay-Starrer ‘Jana Nayagan’

The Story:
On January 8, 2026, Congress leaders vehemently criticized the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for withholding a censor certificate for the Vijay-starring film, ‘Jana Nayagan’. They framed the CBFC’s action as an assault on freedom of expression and a symptom of the increasing politicization of India’s statutory institutions under the Modi government. Congress MPs accused the government of attempting to control cinema and creative expression due to a lack of public confidence in narratives backed by the RSS.

Several Congress leaders, including Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore and Karur MP S. Jothimani, voiced their concerns. Tagore likened the CBFC to other institutions like the ED and CBI, alleging they are being used to silence dissent. Jothimani, a former censor board member, argued that the CBFC has become outdated and is misused for political purposes.

Key Points:

• Congress leaders criticized the CBFC for denying a censor certificate to the Vijay-starrer ‘Jana Nayagan’.
• B. Manickam Tagore accused the Modi government of suppressing freedom of expression and politicizing institutions.
• S. Jothimani stated the CBFC is being used as a political tool and is increasingly outdated.
• Praveen Chakravarty referenced Rahul Gandhi’s 2017 warning about undermining Tamil culture through cinema suppression.
• The denial of certification is seen as an insult to the Tamil people.

Key Takeaways:

• The Congress party perceives the CBFC’s action as an attack on freedom of expression and an attempt to suppress dissent.
• There are growing concerns about the politicization of statutory institutions under the current government.
• The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding Tamil cinema and its potential impact on regional politics.
• The Congress party frames the issue as undermining Tamil pride and culture, potentially to gain political mileage in Tamil Nadu.
• The issue also underscores the ongoing debate about the relevance and role of the CBFC in the digital age.

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