Tamil actor Kamal Haasan, who recently confirmed his entry in the field of politics, said in a column published on Thursday, 16 November, that Hindus, as the majority, should take ownership and trace the right path in India.
In the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, he followed up on his earlier remark which sparked outrage. He had commented that, “the right wing cannot challenge talk of terror among them because extremism has spread to their camp as well.” After defamation law suits were slapped and threats extended, he clarified that he meant ‘extremism’ and not ‘terror.’
He also added that he is willing to fight the case against him for his ‘misconstrued Hindu remarks.’
On his 63rd birthday, Kamal Haasan clarified saying though he isn’t a follower of the religion he doesn’t deny that his roots are in Hinduism.
Haasan has always made it clear that his ideologies have very little in common with the ruling party BJP, spelling out, ‘Saffron is not my colour.’ BJP had lashed out, calling him "myopic and brazen" and that opportunistic politicians who have taken such a cynical route have bitten dust in politics for hurting Indian sentiments.
Taking a dig at the recent income tax raids on Jaya TV and places linked to jailed AIADMK party leader VK Sasikala, Kamal Haasan advised his readers to pay their taxes and called tax evasion ‘treachery.’
We can’t pay peanut as tax and expect pumpkin in return. How can a government run without tax?Kamal Haasan
The actor has always been known for his cryptic messages and indirect notes aimed at politicians or key events going on in the state. He emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the courts to punish the wrong and we should let them do that.
Kamal Haasan has always been openly critical of the Tamil Nadu government calling out their corrupt practices.
On his 63rd birthday last week, Kamal Haasan did not announce a political party, as was expected, but declared that a new app ‘Maiam Whistle’ would be his first step towards connecting with the common public as a politician. He urged everybody to turn into whistleblowers and share feedback on what issues need to be attended to and those who are in need of aid.
The actor plans to travel across the state and understand the grievances of the people. Haasan hopes to launch the app and reveal his team by January 2018.
There seems to be several things going in the actor’s mind to reinvent himself as a politician and be different from the rest. His ideals seems to be clear but what about implementation?
In the past, several actors across India have been successful in politics because of riding piggyback on established political parties. And those who thought fan bases would translate into party workers and voters, failed miserably.
Even, the stalwart MGR had been in politics for two decades before he started the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party, and Jayalalithaa inherited the party along with the vast base built by MGR.
So, if Kamal Haasan wants to challenge these veterans and prove he means action, he needs a plan and a commitment for the long haul.
People are ready to wait. But the real question is will the Ulaganayagan rise?
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