Thoothukudi: The founder-president of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan, generally believed to have a leaning towards late rationalist leader Periyar’s ideals, however, made it clear in the temple town of Tiruchendur on Thursday that he will never go against the religious sentiments of the people.
Declaring himself an ardent “fan” of the Father of the nation, Gandhi, the MNM leader, addressing his party cadres in Tiruchendur, said his present tour of meeting the people is similar to that of the “Bharath Dharshan Yatra” of Gandhi to better understand the people. “Even though I contradict some of the Gandhian ideals, I am proud to follow him in serving the nation,” stated Kamal Haasan.
Further, Kamal Haasan said that India is a wonderful nation with a great cultural lineage and added: “I have no hesitation to worship our heritage and great forefathers.” “Neither my ideology will be a hindrance to the religious faiths and Gods you believe in,” reiterated Kamal Haasan, who summed up his ideology “to accept and revere, whichever is good for the welfare of the people and desist only such elements that divide and go against the welfare of the people.”
Kamal Haasan too did not spare the Tamil Nadu government, which he alleged, issued an order specially to prevent him visiting schools and colleges and interacting with students. The students have confidence and hope in him and hence “they called me to speak amidst them,” said Kamal Haasan. Work on launching the youth wing of Makkal Needhi Maiam was on and would soon, probably next month, prove to the world how far his party’s ideals have reached the students, Kamal Haasan added.
