Two days after 23-year-old Santhosh Raj looked up at superstar Rajinikanth and asked, “Who are you?” in the Thoothukudi Government Hospital, the youth has been forced to clarify that he did not mean to insult the actor-turned-politician. The anti-Sterlite agitator has now put out a clarificatory video, where he explains his stance.
The clarification comes after he says his intention behind the words were misinterpreted.
On Wednesday, Rajinikanth visited injured protesters at the government hospital and when he approached Santhosh's bed, the youth asked him- “Who are you?” To this, the actor replied, “It’s me, Rajinikanth.” The video has since gone viral and earned criticism from the actor's fans.
In the one-minute clip, Santhosh says, "The video is going viral but the reason I said it (Who are you?) is different. All media people and trolls are portraying this differently. Everyone knows other politicians are respected only if they have power...but Rajinikanth is respected just for who he is. He does not need any position for that, unlike the others. So, I meant that he didn't come for 100 days. If he had supported us, it would have been a huge strength for us. Only for this reason I said this. Because he is coming to help people, I asked rightfully. But media guys and trolls are taking this in a different direction. It has really affected me."
The video clip was published on Twitter and was later posted by Raju Mahalingam, who is the Secretary of the Rajini Makkal Mandram.
Incidentally, earlier in the week Santhosh and his family had also asked tough questions to even Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and to Publicity Minister Kadambur Raju. He, however, did not face a backlash on that occasion.
In the video that has also gone viral, Minister Kadambur Raju is confronted by Santhosh’s mother.
"Don’t try to fool us. Treat us with a humanitarian approach,” K Vasanthi reportedly warned the minister. Pointing at Santhosh’s injured hand she asked, "What would you do if this happened to your son? Don't simply say ‘madam, madam’."
While Kadambur Raju attempted to pacify her, Santhosh also demanded, "If they (Sterlite) open again will you take blame? Write and give that you will."
While it is unclear what the minister’s response was, he soon left the hospital premises after the heated exchange.