Mersal row: Parties, film fraternity hit out at BJP

Rahul Gandhi, who had hosted Vijay once, made a veiled reference to the now controversial demonetisation issue while taking a dig at Modi regime’s crackdown on independent media. Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, who retweeted Rahul’s statement added, “BJP demands deletion of dialogues in Mersal. Imagine the consequences if Parasakthi was released today.” Veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan’s debut movie for which screenplay was done by DMK president M Karunanidhi, Parasakthi had marked a tectonic shift in Tamil movie making, mainly for its progressive content, which was a rarity on screen in the middle of last century. Chidambaram also tweeted, “Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government’s policies.” 

The issue also brought other Opposition parties to up their ante against the Centre. DMK working president MK Stalin also took to twitter and said, “BJP’s attempt to muzzle criticism is contrary to democratic principles. The DMK always stands for freedom of speech and creative expression.” VCK leader Thol Tirumavalavan who inferred more than threat to free speech said the BJP was indirectly promoting Mersal to woo Vijay towards the party. MDMK leader Vaiko who watched the movie in the city this morning rubbished the issue and said the movie has socially relevant and significant messages that reflect contemporary politics. 

Charging the State BJP leaders with threatening actor Vijay for a few scenes against GST and digital India schemes, CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan said the saffron leaders think that they could say anything since they are in power at the Centre. 

He said the BJP leaders had succeeded in making the ruling AIADMK bow to their threats and want to repeat similar attempts at other political leaders and actors. “It will be good if the State BJP leaders abandon their uncivilized attitude inciting religious sentiments,” he added.