Viluppuram (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 10 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), P Shanmugam, questioned actor Vijay’s silence over the delay in granting a censor certificate to the film ‘Jana Nayagan’, asking how he would raise his voice on public issues if he remains silent on such matters.
Ahead of a political awareness and fund-raising meeting organised by the CPI(M) at a private marriage hall in Villupuram district, Shanmugam strongly criticised the alleged misuse of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by the Union Government. He said that while the film Parasakthi was granted a certificate after a prolonged delay, Janaganam has still not been certified, which he termed condemnable.
This delay is deliberate and vindictive. No film has ever been forced to go for an appeal like this. Even the court unnecessarily adjourned the hearing by ten days, which shows an ulterior motive,” he alleged. He further questioned Vijay’s silence on the issue, asking whether he was unwilling to oppose the Union Government.
Shanmugam also criticised the United States, stating that US President Donald Trump’s alleged illegal intrusion into the residence of the Venezuelan President and subsequent arrest was an attack on that nation’s sovereignty. He said people are protesting against it worldwide.
Referring to an incident on January 5, he alleged that police resorted to severe repression while detaining protesters in Chennai who attempted to demonstrate against the US.
He further claimed that protests are allowed in front of the White House in Washington, but similar protests are not permitted in front of the US Consulate in Tamil Nadu. He demanded that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister allocate a designated space for protests near the US Consulate.
Tamil Nadu’s textile and leather industries have been affected by the 500 per cent tariff imposed by the US under the Trump administration. He announced that CPI(M) would organise protests on January 22 at industrial hubs to condemn the tariff hike.
Welcoming the Tamil Nadu government’s announcement of Pongal gift hampers, he urged the government to allow distribution based on signatures instead of mandatory biometric fingerprint verification, citing difficulties faced by ration cardholders.
He accused the BJP-led Union Government of using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department as tools for political vendetta, and alleged that the Election Commission was being misused to help the BJP come to power in several states.
On coalition politics, Shanmugam stated that the CPI(M) would definitely demand double-digit constituencies from the DMK as part of the alliance. He also said the demands of intermediary teachers were justified and that he had discussed the issue with the School Education Minister, expressing hope for a solution within a couple of days.
He welcomed the DMK government’s move to distribute laptops to students, noting that although there was a delay, it was a poll promise being fulfilled. Shanmugam emphasised that the decision on which parties to include in the DMK alliance rests solely with the DMK leadership. (ANI)