Jai Bhim damages image and reputation of Vanniyars: Complaint filed against producers

A defamation complaint has been filed in a Tamil Nadu court against the makers of Jai Bhim for allegedly damaging the reputation of the Vanniyar community by changing the name of one of the characters in the movie..The complainants have taken issue with the fact that the name of the Sub-Inspector of Police, who had tortured the victim in police custody, was changed."...Accused have retained the real names of all the characters in the real incident in the movie also. But deliberately Accused persons have changed the name of sub inspector of police, who had tortured the victim in the police custody. The complainant in the real story line, name of the sub inspector of police who is involved in custodial death of the under trial prisoner was “Anthonysamy”, who was Christian by religion."The accused have deliberately named the Sub-Inspector of Police “Guru”, resembling one of the frontline leaders of the Vanniyar Sangam and have projected him as if he belonged to Vanniyar community, thereby imputing that the members of the community are prone to commit such wrongs, the complainant alleged..It was further alleged that the makers of the film insulted the sacred Agni Kundam symbol of the community by printing it on a calendar with the caption “Kshatriya Kula Manadu, Villupuram." This clearly exhibits the malafide intention of the accused in defaming the members of the Vanniyar Sangam and damaging the image and reputation of the entire Vanniyar community, the complaint stated."...there is no need and necessity to show the Vanniyar sangam Symbol in the particular scenes and sequences in the movie and Accused No. 1 to 4 have deliberately and mischievously included it with ulterior motive to assassinate the very reputation and tarnish the sacred image and respect earned by the Vanniyar community..." the complaint went on to state..The complaint was filed by Pu Tha Arulmozhi, resident of Cuddalore District and State president of the Vanniyar Sangam.It alleges the commission of offences under Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A(1) [promoting enmity between different groups through speech], 499 (defamation), 500 (punishment for defamation), 503 (criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code..It was further highlighted that well-known poet Kanmani Gunasekaran said that the original facts have been suppressed and that Vanniyars have been defamed. Therefore, he refunded his ₹50,000 remuneration to the producers.Accordingly, it has been prayed that the Court "may be pleased to take cognizance of this complaint and proceed against the accused for their offending movie scenes and punish them for the offences.".Jai Bhim depicts the real-life story of how K Chandru, who went on to become a judge of the Madras High Court, brought justice to the family of Rajakannu, a tribal who was tortured to death in police custody..Justice K Chandru: Jai Bhim conveys Dr Ambedkar's message, Suriya acted with complete restraint .[Read full complaint here]