Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has fiercely responded to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks on the language debate, terming them “political black comedy at its darkest”. The DMK leader defended his government’s opposition to the Centre’s three-language policy, stating that Tamil Nadu is not against any language but stands firmly against imposition and chauvinism.

Stalin’s rebuttal came after Yogi Adityanath, in a media interview, criticised the DMK leader for allegedly fostering regional and linguistic divisions to protect his vote base. The UP Chief Minister questioned why Hindi was being opposed and praised Tamil as one of India’s most ancient languages, urging unity over linguistic differences.

Responding on social media, Stalin accused the BJP of being rattled by the DMK’s stand, particularly as the issues of language and delimitation gain traction beyond Tamil Nadu. “We don’t oppose any language; we oppose imposition and chauvinism,” Stalin wrote. He also said that this isn’t riot-for-votes politics but this is a battle for dignity and justice.”

The row is rooted in the DMK’s opposition to the Hindi push under the National Education Policy (NEP), which promotes a three-language formula including Hindi. Tamil Nadu has consistently advocated for a two-language policy, emphasizing Tamil and English. The DMK has accused the Centre of attempting to undermine regional languages and identities.

The debate also touches on a growing concern over the upcoming delimitation exercise, expected post-2026. Stalin warned that the move could marginalize southern states in parliamentary representation due to their lower population growth—a result of effective family planning policies. He argued this would unfairly penalize progressive states like Tamil Nadu, which contribute significantly to the national GDP.

Yogi Adityanath, on the other hand, framed the DMK’s stance as narrow politics and cautioned the public to remain vigilant against such divisive narratives. “The people of this country should always stand for unity,” he said, while praising cultural initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam to promote harmony.

The political clash once again underscores the long-standing tensions between regional identity and central policies, particularly on sensitive issues like language and representation.

Comedian Kunal Kamra has found himself in the middle of a growing controversy after his stand-up special Naya Bharat, which includes a satirical take on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was blocked on YouTube due to copyright claims by music label T-Series.

Kamra took to social media on Wednesday to call out the music giant, accusing it of acting on political pressure. Sharing a screenshot that showed the video blocked and revenue disabled on YouTube, the comedian wrote, “Hello T-Series, stop being a stooge. Parody and satire come under fair use legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song.”

The Naya Bharat special, uploaded on March 23, features Kamra performing a parody of the song Hawa Hawai song from the 1987 film Mr India to criticise Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The rights to the song are held by T-Series. The video has already garnered over 76 lakh views and nearly six lakh likes.

A spokesperson from T-Series responded, stating that Kamra had not taken any authorisation or approval before using the musical work in his comedy show, and the content was blocked for infringing on composition rights.

Meanwhile, a separate segment of Kamra’s act- Bholi si surat from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai – indirectly mocked Eknath Shinde. The parody included the word “gaddar (traitor)”, which many interpreted as a jab at Shinde’s 2022 move to break away from the Shiv Sena and ally with the BJP, resulting in the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government.

The backlash was swift shortly after the video went public. Reacting to the video targeting Shinde,  the Shide Shiv Sena workers vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where the show was filmed. Hours after vandalization, the Police arrested 12 individuals linked to the party; they were later granted bail.

Mumbai Police also summoned Kamra as part of an ongoing investigation, but the comedian, currently in Tamil Nadu, requested a week’s extension to appear. However, his request was denied and a fresh summons was issued.

Kamra maintains that he will not apologise and is ready to cooperate with authorities for any legal proceedings. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, meanwhile, has alleged that the comedian was acting on a supari (contract) to defame him.

British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s thought-provoking film, “Santosh”, is facing significant hurdles in obtaining a theatrical release in India due to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding substantial cuts.

The board has specifically objected to the film’s representation of police conduct as well as its exploration of sensitive societal issues, such as caste discrimination and police brutality, which are central to the film’s narrative.

In an interview, Sandhya expressed her deep disappointment, stating, “I was eager for the film to be released in India, and I explored various options to accommodate their requests. However, the extent of the cuts required ultimately made it impossible to maintain the film’s coherence or stay faithful to its original vision.”

She emphasized that the censorship board’s demands were not merely about minor adjustments; they were so extensive that they would compromise the film’s essence.

For Sandhya, the integrity of “Santosh” is paramount. She noted that complying with the proposed changes would effectively strip the film of its original message and vision, rendering it unrecognizable. The film is particularly significant, featuring an entirely Indian cast and presented in Hindi, the predominant language of North India, which underscores its cultural roots. Interestingly, when the filmmakers initially submitted the script for approval to shoot, they encountered no objections, and the largest cinema chain in India had already agreed to distribute the film as of January.

Santosh premiered at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim, highlighting its powerful storytelling and cultural relevance. It was submitted as the UK’s official entry for the Oscars in the International Feature category, showcasing its international appeal. Additionally, the film earned a nomination for Best Debut Feature at this year’s BAFTA Awards, further solidifying its recognition on a global stage.

Sandhya’s dedication to her work and the issues it represents remains steadfast as she navigates the complexities of censorship and strives to maintain the integrity of her film amidst these challenges.