With the war of words between actor Kamal Haasan and the AIADMK government over allegations of corruption occupying the centre-stage in Tamil Nadu politics, the actor on Sunday hinted that he may not take an active plunge into politics by calling upon his fans to take the debate higher instead of wasting time and money on posters.
“I need my fans for greater service. I am enough to fend them off. Do not waste time and money on posters. Please take this debate higher,” Mr. Kamal Haasan tweeted.
In many places in the State, his fans have put up posters warning the State ministers against antagonising him.
Mr. Kamal Haasan’s recent outbursts about alleged all-pervasive corruption in Tamil Nadu had provided fodder to the speculation that he would take advantage of the vacuum created by the demise of Jayalalithaa and take a political plunge.
However, observers felt it is too early to decide if the actor would enter electoral politics.
“I think that is his call. Unlike in other States, politics and cinema are intertwined in Tamil Nadu. That is why when a well-known face on the screen joins issue with politicians, we assume that there is a political aspect,” said Sashi Kumar, chairman of the Media Development Foundation.
But, he also clarified that the trend was not necessarily good especially in a State like Tamil Nadu where populism was higher than any other State.
“We need representative politics and not fan politics, because it will once again perpetuate dependency on fan-driven politics,” cautioned Mr. Sashi Kumar.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan too has alleged that Mr. Kamal Haasan chose to speak when it suited him and remained silent when allegations like money distribution in R.K. Nagar polls and payment of cash and gold to ruling party MLAs in Koovathur surfaced.
Nonetheless Mr. Sashi Kumar felt it was not proper to contend that some person who had spoken at some point of time had not spoken at some other point of time or during Jayalalithaa’s time.
‘BJP pact with AIADMK’
DMK working president M.K. Stalin, who has been supporting the actor, said the BJP leaders’ criticism against Mr. Kamal Haasan was a clear proof that it had a secret understanding with the AIADMK government.
Professor Ramu Manivannan of the Politics and Public Administration Department of the University of Madras, said Mr. Kamal Haasan had identified himself as an articulator of deepened emotion and disillusionment in the society.
“He is more political than any other film personality and he is also speaking from the public space. He is an exception to film personalities, who pretend to articulate when it suits them and he speaks substantially on issues,” said Mr. Manivannan and justified the actor’s remarks.
“Why should the government make an enemy out of him?
“He is not saying anything out of tune with people’s aspiration. Whether it is NEET or Neduvasal, the AIADMK government is not explaining the issues to the people. On the other hand, they have surrendered the independent decision making of Tamil Nadu to the Centre,” he charged.
Mr. Sashi Kumar wondered why should the government get upset and take the moral high ground when corruption was very much part of Indian politics.
