“Who is in trouble — the country or the individuals?”

The film “L2: Empuraan” – unlike Akshay Kumar’s mass-produced monthly releases, or saffron propaganda films like The Kashmir Files, Chhava, or The Kerala Story – doesn’t portray anyone falsely or fictionally as villains. It merely depicts real events (and in this case, the person involved is seen confessing on video). Still, they were forced to make 17 cuts under pressure.

But it didn’t stop there. The producer was hounded by authorities. The same with actor-director Prithviraj. At the same time, Kunal Kamra, who made comedy involving Eknath Shinde, also faced government backlash. Yet, Kamra isn’t someone like those 30th-rated people on YouTube who, under the guise of being “senior journalists,” hurl disgusting slurs at women and sanitation workers.

Still, his shows were removed from platforms like BookMyShow under pressure. And how does the media report this? “Prithviraj is in trouble! Kunal Kamra is in big trouble!” Really?

Is the trouble theirs — or is it a threat to Indian democracy? Is it just a problem for those individuals — or for freedom of speech in India?

Let’s look at our side now.

A certain actor, proclaiming “I am mass, my punch is powerful to make you into pieces,” (Tamil Cinema Punch Dialogue) starts a political party, declares the BJP as his ideological enemy (!), and only after constant trolling reluctantly utters Modi’s name. But not a single government agency was turned on him (like they did for Empuran or Kunal) Why?

Because it was under the very blessing of that power that his party was formed in the first place! Instead they awarded him Y-category security.

In a recent speech, full of praise for Modi, he practically made a confession: “Ji, Tamil Nadu is the state that made many tremble, ji.”

Let’s examine this idea of “making Delhi tremble.” Was it Raja Gopalachari? That would make even Raja Gopalachari’s ghost laugh.

Kamaraj? A good chief minister, a karmaveerar (a noble leader), but loyal to the Union as a national party leader. He even refused to name the state as “Tamil Nadu.”during his tenure as Chief Minister.

What about M.G.R.? A valiant hero —Just on screen!

Everyone knows Indira Gandhi imposed the draconian MISA. But the only Indian politician to pass a resolution supporting MISA? M.G.R!

He helped the LTTE when Indira did, and abandoned them when Rajiv became an enemy. Delhi’s path was M.G.R’s path.

Jayalalithaa? Poor thing, was caught in legal trouble. She sent people for the Ram Temple karseva to prove her loyalty to Delhi. She passed laws banning animal sacrifices.

Who else made Delhi tremble?

Just three: Anna, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), and today, Thalapathy Stalin!

Anna thundered in the Rajya Sabha against Hindi imposition. During his rule, he killed the three-language formula and implemented a two-language policy.

What needs to be said about Kalaignar? He attended national conferences on state autonomy in Punjab, introduced a Tamil Nadu state flag, stood alone in opposing MISA and lost his government over it (even earning praise from Kamaraj).

Everyone remembers the slogan “Welcome to TamilNadu Dear Nehru’s daughter!” ( நேருவின் மகளே வருக) but it was Kalaignar who, during a rally, made Indira express regret for MISA.

He resigned his MLA post for Eelam. As CM, he refused to greet the Indian Peacekeeping Force, breaking protocol, and again lost power. During the Vajpayee alliance, he made BJP sign a minimum common programme — keeping Delhi’s leash in his hands. The reason BJP rule back then wasn’t like today’s RSS regime was because of Kalaignar. Even today, Anna and Kalaignar are symbols inspiring state autonomy voices in Bengal, Kerala, and beyond!

Anna and Kalaignar fought humans atleast.

But Thalapathy Stalin is fighting inhumanity — those without compassion, democracy, or constitutional respect! And you know all about this fight!

If Anna and Kalaignar made Delhi tremble, Stalin is imploding them . He once gave Modi a lecture right on stage. Today, he’s ignored a Modi event, violating protocol.

Across India, those who oppose the BJP, those who long for the older, livable India — see Thalapathy Stalin as a model leader, a beacon of hope.

Have you noticed this?

When the Tamil Nadu BJP wants to tarnish another party’s image, they spread the rumor that the party is going to ally with them. Have you ever seen such a pathetic strategy?

But there’s one party they can’t even falsely claim as a friend — and that’s the DMK. Many can pretend to oppose BJP.

The BJP might even encourage a few actors: “Pretend to oppose us, so that Tamil people will respect you.”

Many small time politician had spoken against BJP. But if you called them a true BJP opponent, not even their pet dog would believe it! That’s how some in Tamil Nadu “oppose” the BJP.

Understand clearly: what’s happening to Empuraan, to Prithviraj, to Kunal Kamra — these aren’t just passing news stories. They are fascist actions. If this must change, then a change of government at the Union level is essential.

This change won’t happen through people pretending to oppose BJP.

It can only happen through the INDIA alliance, through M.K.Stalin.

Only then can the idea of India — the India we know — stay alive!

– Don Ashok
6 April 2025