CHENNAI: Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary M Veerapandian on Saturday accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of functioning as a political tool of the Union government led by the BJP and demanded the immediate release of the film Jana Nayagan after granting the censor certificate without further delay.

He pointed out that the movie produced by KVN Production had been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification on December 15, 2025, ahead of its scheduled release on January 9, but has yet to receive certification, even after several suggested cuts. He alleged that although 16 members of the censor board had viewed the film, more than 25 cuts were recommended, and a decision was taken to grant certification restricting its viewing to those aged 16 or above.

He claimed that the manner in which the censor certificate was being delayed had exposed political interference and arbitrariness, which, he said, was evident to the public.

Stressing that democratic values, which allow artists to express their views without fear, must be upheld, the CPI state executive urged the censor board to respect artistic freedom and permit the release of the film Jana Nayagan. The party also referred to the court battle at the HC, after a single judge cleared the release, while the Centre immediately sought a stay of the verdict by moving an appeal.