In separate statements over the past few days, both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have reacted to the MeToo movement in Tamil Nadu and on the Sabarimala issue. Here’s what they had to say, in a decidedly cat-on-the-wall manner.
At an impromptu presser outside the Chennai airport on Saturday, 20 October, a group of Tamil language reporters asked actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth about the MeToo movement. The question was, “Do you support the movement?”
When asked to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse and intimidation against lyricist Vairamuthu, he had this to say:
On 12 October, Kamal Haasan was accosted by a group of journalists before entering an event, and asked about the MeToo movement. He had this to say:
What the story of Kannagi has to do with women coming out with stories of sexual misconduct and assault, one will never know. But when asked about allegations against Vairamuthu, Kamal Haasan was equally vague.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country is sharply divided on the issue of the entry of women into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Some are in unequivocal support of the Supreme Court’s verdict that women should be allowed to enter, regardless of age. However, a majority of people are against the verdict and have taken to the streets to show their resistance to the verdict.
Kamal Haasan, a self-proclaimed atheist had this to say on the issue:
For someone with a facile pen when it comes to Twitter, and on everything under the sun, Kamal Haasan’s (non-)statement on the Sabarimala issue can only be seen as defensive, safe play.
Rajinikanth, however, said it’s better not to interfere in matters of faith.
When asked again if he meant he was not in support of the Supreme Court ruling, he said:
So is he in favour of the SC ruling or against it? Is he all for women’s rights or no?
Rajinikanth also mentioned that while 90 percent of the work toward launching his political party is already done, he will not be launching it this 12 December, as thought earlier.
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