Jai Bhim Row: Vanniyar Sangam Issues Defamation Notice To Makers Of Film; Seeks ₹5 Cr Compensation

The State President of Vanniyar Sangam has issued a legal notice to the makers of 'Jai Bhim' movie and OTT Platform Amazon Prime Video, alleging that defamatory scenes tarnishing the reputation and goodwill of the Vanniyar Community have been intentionally included in the film. The notice seeks removal of allegedly defamatory scenes and references to the Vanniyar Sangam in the film, which involves the 'Agni Kundam' symbol that represents the community. The notice, issued through Advocate K Balu, also demands Rupees Five Crores in damages within seven days from its receipt. An unconditional apology for willfully denigrating the community by releasing the film on OTT Platform, along with wide circulation of such apology in different print and media platforms has also been sought. The notice warns the Director, Producers, Production Company, and the OTT Platform of criminal action under Sections 499, 500 and 505 of IPC in case of failure to comply with the terms of the notice, and other civil proceedings to claim damages. The notice points fingers at the makers for allegedly twisting the real-life story to prejudice the social standing of Vanniyar Sangam Community by naming the Sub Inspector who commits custodial torture and subsequent murder of the innocent man as 'Gurumurthy', repeatedly called as 'Guru' in the film. "While mentioning names of various characters from the real story, you have deliberately named the Sub Inspector of Police as 'Guru' resembling one of the front line leaders of Vanniyar Sangam."In the real story, the sub-inspector who was involved in the custodial death of the undertrial was called Anthonysamy, who was Christian by religion, the notice states. Vanniyar Sangam President mentions in the notice that such intentional misrepresentation of facts by imputing the wrongdoer as someone who belonged to the Vanniyar Community is a deliberate attempt to project the entire community members in bad light. Further, for the purpose of proving the date of the victim's death, a 1995 calendar in the said Sub Inspector's house with a predominant symbol of Vanniyar Sangam is shown according to the sender of the notice. "Only with a view to maligning the image of Vanniyar Community people in the society and with a view to defaming the entire community as a whole, you have deliberately displayed in the scene the Vanniyar Sangam Logo and Symbol in the Calendar at the house of Sub Inspector." A few days before, Surya Sivakumar made a statement as a reply to PMK Leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss' criticism of the movie's depiction of the Vanniyar community. Surya clarified that the picture only intended to show the real-life struggle waged by Justice K. Chandru. He also noted that none of them had any intentions to insult any community and that a few mistakes pointed out in the scenes were corrected immediately.Recently, the Bar Council Of Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Chairman P.S Amalraj wrote to TJ Gnanavel, heartily congratulating the makers for depicting a real-life incident revolving around a poor victim and her struggle for justice without deviating from its truthfulness.

Jai Bhim Row: Vanniyar Sangam Issues Defamation Notice To Makers Of Film; Seeks ₹5 Cr Compensation

Sebin James

Legal notice is sent to actor Suriya, director TJ Gnanavel and Amazon Prime Video.

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