Two days after hundreds of people rallied in Sri Lanka's Jaffna to protests against Tamil Nadu politicians who forced Superstar Rajinikanth to cancel his visit to the city under pressure, the actor has acknowledged the protesters' support for him.
Protestors belonging to different parties, including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), gathered on Monday near Jaffna's iconic Nallur Kovil. Placards carrying slogans against Tamil Nadu politicians were held at the agitation. The 66-year-old actor was supposed to hand over houses built by Lyca Group's Gnanam Foundation for Tamils displaced during the war that took place in northern Jaffna. He was however forced to cancel his visit after several political parties demanded that he withdraw from the event.
In a statement, the actor said, "I came to know about the love you have for me through media. I have no words to thank you all for the love and affection. Let us believe good things will happen, let good things happen. When time is right, we will meet. I pray almighty for your well-being."
Among the parties opposing his visit were the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). The actor was scheduled to hand over 150 houses in a two-day visit beginning on April 9.
The actor said that he had been lovingly advised by the VCK’s Thol Thirumavalavan, the MDMK’s Vaiko and the Tamilar Vazhvu Urimai Katchi’s Velmurugan through the media, by phone and through friends, to drop his plans.
The three leaders had opposed Rajinikanth’s visit as they said it was a tacit endorsement of the Sri Lankan government, which continued to deny the rights of Tamil people in the country.
"I couldn’t fully accept their reasoning. However, I have decided to take their plea into consideration and not participate," the actor said.