Hours after actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan met with Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy over the Cauvery dispute with Tamil Nadu, Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam’s Tamilaruvi Manian, who is a close friend of actor Rajinikanth, has hit out at Kamal, alleging that he is exploiting the “anti- Rajini sentiment”.
After meeting the families of those injured in the May 22 police shooting in Thoothukudi, Rajinikanth had said that the protest was infiltrated by anti-social elements. Responding to this statement, Kamal Haasan said on Saturday, “According to me, it is not so. If that is the case, then even I am that (anti-social element).”
Following this, in a statement to the press, Tamilaruvi Manian said, “Kamal Haasan's recent statement clearly reveals that he is involved in creating an image that Rajinikanth is against people's protests. At a time when Rajinikanth's political entry is growing into a massive people's power, leaders and a few organisations are in fear that their dreams of becoming Chief Minister will be spoiled. At a time when they are trying to destroy his image, people can easily understand that the ulterior motive of Kamal Haasan is lending a helping hand to them.”
At the Thoothukudi General Hospital, Rajinikanth also had an awkward exchange with a young survivor, who asked him who he was and why he had not visited the protesters for well over hundred days. On his return to Chennai, an angry Rajini lost his cool with media persons.
“If you protest against anything and everything, Tamil Nadu will turn into a graveyard. There were anti-social elements in the Thoothukudi protests which is the reason for the riots. They attacked the policemen in uniform. This is wrong,” he had said.
Rajinikanth was widely condemned on social media for ‘insulting the protesters’.
Tamilaruvi Manian further said, “Rajinikanth is not against any protest that is regarding the welfare of the people. His concerns is that in a protest nurtured by people, there should be no place for violent people. Kamal saying that Rajini spoke his personal opinion and that he(Kamal) follows people's opinions clearly shows his ulterior motive. Braving to express personal opinion is what shows mighty leadership.”
Citing examples such as Gandhi, Ambedkar and Periyar who dared to express their personal opinion and bring about social change, the Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam leader also said, "Rajinikanth is not Gandhi, Ambedkar or Periyar. But for no reason has he used the blanket of people's opinion; he had not hidden his personal opinions from the people.”
With the Kannada Film Chamber calling for a ban of Rajinikanth’s Kaala that is set to release on June 7, Kamal said on Monday after meeting CM Kumaraswamy that the Cauvery issue was more important to discuss than films.
This drew criticism from actor Prakash Raj who told News18, “He should realise that even his film Vishwaroopam was banned and he expected the world to come and stand by him. So it is left to him. But as Vice President of the Producer's Council, it is my responsibility to be responsible that we as a body will not let this happen, we should not let this happen. This is my request to the people that stop letting these fringe elements use us citizens.”