Tamil Nadu Youth Congress Seeks Ban on Sivakarthikeyan’s ‘Parasakthi’, Alleges Distortion of Historical Facts

The controversy surrounding Parasakthi has intensified in Tamil Nadu after the Youth Congress formally objected to the film’s narrative, alleging that it presents a fabricated version of history aimed at discrediting the Indian National Congress. The film, which hit theatres on January 10, revolves around the anti-Hindi protests and student-led political movements of the 1960s, a sensitive and politically charged period in the state’s history.

According to Youth Congress leaders, the film selectively alters facts, inserts fictional scenes, and attributes actions to Congress leaders that, they claim, never took place.

‘Complete Fabrication’, Says Youth Congress

Addressing the media, Tamil Nadu Youth Congress leader Bhaskar described Parasakthi as a “complete fabrication” designed to tarnish the image of the Congress party and its leaders.

He pointed out that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) itself had ordered 25 cuts in the film, with several scenes reportedly labelled as “imaginary.” According to Bhaskar, this alone raises serious questions about the authenticity of the narrative presented on screen.

One of the party’s strongest objections relates to the film’s depiction of the 1965 language debate. Bhaskar alleged that the movie falsely suggests that the Congress government mandated the use of Hindi-only forms in post offices across the country.

“The Congress government never officially declared in 1965 that post office forms must be filled only in Hindi in every state. This claim is completely false and has been deliberately inserted to malign our party,” he asserted.

Disputed Portrayal of Indira Gandhi

The Youth Congress has also taken serious exception to the way former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is portrayed in the film. Bhaskar alleged that Parasakthi depicts a meeting between Sivakarthikeyan’s character and Indira Gandhi in Coimbatore, where the protagonist is shown opposing Hindi imposition.

“This meeting never happened,” Bhaskar said. “Indira Gandhi did not travel to Coimbatore on February 12, 1965. There was no such interaction, and the scene is entirely fictitious.”

Another scene that has drawn sharp criticism shows a train being set on fire in front of Indira Gandhi during her supposed visit. The Youth Congress leader dismissed the sequence as “utterly baseless.”

“This is complete nonsense and has no connection with historical reality. No such incident ever occurred,” he said.

Summarising the party’s objections, Bhaskar stated that the film falsely shows Indira Gandhi travelling to Coimbatore, accepting petitions against Hindi imposition, and witnessing violent incidents that never took place.

Objection to Film’s Climax

The climax of Parasakthi has become another flashpoint in the controversy. According to Bhaskar, the film uses real photographs of Congress stalwarts K Kamaraj, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi while making a grave allegation that the Congress was responsible for the shooting and killing of more than 200 Tamil civilians in Pollachi.

“There is not a shred of evidence to support such a serious and explosive accusation,” Bhaskar said, calling the portrayal defamatory and dangerous.

“Using real images of national leaders to back an unproven claim crosses all limits of responsible filmmaking,” he added.

Demand for Ban and Legal Action

The Tamil Nadu Youth Congress has categorically rejected the film and demanded that it be banned with immediate effect.

“We strongly condemn this movie. Parasakthi should be banned because it intentionally distorts historical facts and spreads misinformation,” Bhaskar said.

He also demanded a public apology from the film’s production team and the immediate removal of all disputed scenes. Warning of further action, Bhaskar said the party would initiate strong legal proceedings if the film continues to be screened without corrections.

“If the movie is not withdrawn and an apology is not issued, we will be forced to take strict legal action,” he warned.

Call for Protests

Concluding his remarks, Bhaskar urged Congress workers across the state to mobilise and protest against what he described as a deliberate attempt to rewrite history.

“I call upon all Congress workers to raise their voices against this injustice,” he said.

About the Film

Directed by Sudha Kongara Prasad, Parasakthi stars Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela in key roles. Since its release, the film has received mixed responses from both critics and audiences, with its political narrative becoming the centre of a growing controversy.

As the debate intensifies, the dispute highlights the broader tension between creative expression and historical responsibility—especially when cinema revisits politically sensitive chapters of India’s past.