Hindu Munnani members submitted a petition to the Nungambakkam Police Station against Thiruparankundram Files
The proposed preview screening of the documentary Thiruparankundram Files has been cancelled in a significant development following opposition from devotees and Hindu Munnani. It is also learnt that theatre owners declined to host the screening amid the backlash and police intervention.
The documentary, alleged by its critics to have been produced by anti-Hindu forces and expected to be attended by a Muslim MLA, Left party leaders and others, will no longer be screened as scheduled.
A poster was circulated on social media inviting people to attend the preview with prior registration. The documentary, which is yet to receive censor certification, cannot be screened publicly.
The special guests included Thamimun Ansari, MLA (founder and president of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi), former MLA and actor Karunas, CPI(M) State Executive Council member Kanagaraj, actor Sathyaraj, SC Askar Ali of SDPI, and HC advocate Jimraj Miltan.
The invitation stated: “Those who care for society’s interests, the public, journalists, lawyers, students and those who believe in democracy should participate without fail to make the event successful.” It further said: “Entry is free, but prior registration is mandatory – Tamil Nadu Digital Journalists Union.”
BJP Tamil Nadu functionary Vinoj P. Selvam, in a post on X, said: “If, from those attending the screening, it is most likely to be propaganda against Hindus, our belief system and the rights of Lord Muruga, then the ‘திருப்பரங்குன்றம் Files’ is nothing but an exercise to create communal tensions. It will also expose TVK’s Vijay as a weak Chief Minister. I request him to step out and review the content before its screening.”
Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara C. Subramaniam, in a statement, warned: “The screening of the documentary would trigger communal clashes and disrupt the law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu. If the police machinery chooses to work hand in glove with the DMK’s conspiracies, then, led by Hindu Munnani, a large number of Hindu devotees of Bhagwan Murugan would democratically lay siege to the Four Frames Preview Theatre at Nungambakkam to express their opposition.”
Hindu Munnani also lodged a complaint with the police seeking to stop the preview screening of what it believes contains highly controversial scenes in the yet-to-be-censored documentary. Police also assured their intervention to stop the screening.
In the complaint, Hindu Munnani said: “We want a ban on the screening of the documentary. A verdict in the Bhagwan Murugan Tirupparankundram Deepa Thoon case is pending before the courts. How can some announce the screening of a film in the name of ‘Thiruparankundram Files’ while the matter is sub judice? It is against the Constitution of India. It would hurt the sentiments of Hindus and wound their religious feelings. There is a possibility of deterioration in the law-and-order situation.”
Hindu Munnani said it had submitted a petition to the Nungambakkam Police Station.
Hours before the scheduled screening, an announcement stated that it had been cancelled. Some said it had merely been postponed. Others claimed the producers announced that, owing to unavoidable circumstances, the screening scheduled for the day had been dropped.
According to a known Left-leaning journalist, the screening was also cancelled in Pudukottai after police intervention. She condemned the move, saying it was unacceptable.
BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Spokesperson Thirupathi Narayanan, in a post on X, said: “In an issue already decided by the High Court, some are attempting to create opinion against Hindus through this documentary. Will the TVK government stop this attempt to release the film, or will it remain a passive spectator?”
Meanwhile, a post by Prof. Sumathi said: “Prohibition of the Screening of Thiruparankundram Files: Are secularism and freedom of expression in Tamil Nadu being restricted by ‘orders from above’? The Tamil Nadu Digital Journalists Union (TNDJU) strongly condemns the Tamil Nadu Police for preventing the screening of the documentary by journalist Thavam, citing what was described as an ‘order from above’…”
Critics say that broadcasting or screening an uncensored documentary in a preview theatre in India is illegal. If it is considered a public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, any film screened before a public audience must have valid certification from the CBFC. If the screening is open to the public, ticketed or advertised, it requires a censor certificate. Screening an uncertified film in this manner is considered a cognisable and non-bailable offence.
Following opposition from devotees, Hindu Munnani, the screening of documentary on Tiruparankundram stands cancelled.
