Ahead of a likely plunge into Tamil Nadu politics within a week from now, Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan today said that Hindu terrorists exist and that the menace has infiltrated right-wing groups as well.
In a column penned for a popular Tamil weekly news magazine, Haasan said that the right wing could no longer deny the existence of Hindu terror and that Hindus were “losing faith in 'Satyameva Jayate' and instead subscribing to 'might is right'.”
"In the past, Hindu, right-wing groups would not indulge in violence. They would hold a dialogue with opponents. But now they resort to violence," Haasan said.
"The right wing cannot challenge talk of Hindu terrorists because terror has spread into their camp as well. Such terror activities are not going to help them in way," he added.
The remark came in response to a question by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who asked the actor how he saw the recent communalisation which seeks to destroy the Tamil Dravidian tradition of peaceful co-existence.
The remarks have set the stage for a potential clash with the Bharatiya Janata Party just days before the actor’s ‘grand announcement’ of a possible political plunge expected on November 7, his birthday. The comments also reinforces Haasan's anti-RSS stand.
The past few months have seen the actor meet with political leaders from various parties. He met Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
There is speculation that Haasan may announce floating a new political party, though the actor’s manager has consistently denied it.
"World over, there is a move towards fascism and a leaning toward the right-wing. But this is a temporary trend, it won't win," Haasan writes.
"There is an attempt to bring back regressive thinking in music, art, to make it right-wing, not just in Tamil Nadu but throughout the country."
Meanwhile, the BJP has condemned the actor's remarks and sought an apology from him. "Kamal Haasan should apologise and take his words back. In reality, there is peace because Hindus are in a majority," BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi said.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said, "Such claims will not work in politics. The Congress which talked of Hindu terrorism is today out of power," referring to the political backlash the Congress faced for using the phrase.
Watch India TV's special show 'Kurushetra' on Kamal Hassan's remark
