Tamil Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development KT Rajenthra Bhalaji on Monday said actor-politician Kamal Haasan's tongue should be chopped for saying the first terrorist of independent India was a Hindu.
Speaking to reporters in Thoothukudi, Rajenthra Bhalaji said Kamal's tongue should be cut for saying that as terrorism does not have any religion. Rajenthra Bhalaji said Kamal made the remark to gain the votes of minorities in Aravakuruchi Assembly constituency where a bye-election is to be held on May 19. The Minister said Kamal spews venom and wondered why he was doing that.
Kamal's party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) should be banned and the Election Commission should take action,Rajenthra Bhalaji added. Campaigning for his party candidate on Sunday, Kamal had said: "The first terrorist of independent India was a Hindu -- Nathuram Godse." Godse shot dead Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948 in New Delhi. "I am here to question that killing," Haasan said.
The BJP on Monday moved the Election Commission seeking a 5-day ban on renowned actor and MNM President Kamal Haasan for describing Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, as the first Hindu terrorist in independent India. The complaint has been filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay, saying the statement was intended to outrage religious feelings of millions of Hindus.
The compliant urged the poll panel to invoke Article 324 of the Constitution and "restrict Haasan from campaigning for at least five days, lodge a FIR against him under respective sections of IPC and take steps to de-register his political party".
Kamal's comments didnot go well with BJP leaders with BJP National Secretary H Raja and BJP Tamil Nadu state president Tamilisai Soundararajan strongly condeming his words. Tamilisai had said that Kamal was “lighting a dangerous fire” to earn votes.
(With inputs from IANS)