New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of 'insulting' people of Tamil Nadu amid uncertainty over the censor certification for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'.

He quoted Rahul Gandhi's 2017 post on X, where the Congress leader had 'warned' the Prime Minister not to insult Tamil pride by 'suppressing Tamil cinema'.

'Nine years earlier, Rahul Gandhi had warned PM Modi not to insult Tamil culture & pride by suppressing Tamil cinema. But Narendra Modi insults Tamil people again by witholding (sic) censor certificate for Jana Nayagan on purpose & blocking its release,' Chakravarty posted on X.

His remarks come after the much-awaited film 'Jana Nayagan', which is expected to be actor Thalapathy Vijay's final movie, has been postponed ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

The film was originally planned to be released in theatres on January 9, 2026.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Jothimani slammed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over its refusal to grant certification to 'Jana Nayagan', saying that it was an attack on the Tamil film industry.

'The refusal of the Central Government's Censorship Board to grant a certificate to the film Jannayagan deserves the strongest condemnation. This is an attack on the Tamil film industry. Beyond our political affiliations, preferences, and dislikes, every individual who believes in freedom of expression must condemn this,' Jothimani posted on X.

She said that the censorship board had become a 'political weapon' of the Narendra Modi government. She added that attempts to suppress the hard work of people were 'antithetical to creative freedom'.

Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged that the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression was being 'systematically weakened through fear' under Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as the film industry remains in the 'crosshairs'.

'When RSS propaganda films get zero traction, zero credibility & zero public interest, the Modi-Shah regime responds with control, not confidence. Now the film industry is in the crosshairs. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech & expression. But under I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw this right is being systematically weakened through fear, not law,' Tagore posted on X.

The backing for Vijay and his new release from Congress leaders also sends a subtle message to Congress ally DMK, especially after reports of a TVK-Congress pact were floated. (ANI)