At a time when relief measures are in full flow to those living in coastal and delta districts of Tamil Nadu, Finance and Public Works Department Minister O. Paneerselvam chose to lash out at actor Kamal Haasan for criticising the government’s inadequate response to the disaster and argued that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s timely efforts were bringing normality to the State.
In an interview to a website recently, actor Kamal Haasan had said ‘the entire system has collapsed” and that “the ruling party, whoever they are, don’t mind spending Rs. 4,000 crore for corporate projects.”
Kamal Haasan was also severely critical of the government reportedly said that he is ‘truly sad and sick.’ He is quoted as saying, “I feel guilty for my being in a comfortable home. I earn very little compared to the government. But now when our State is in distress they are asking for donations to do what we appointed the government to do. All this drama of rich and poor is a farce, though. The politicians give a damn about social equality as long as they remain in power.”
Responding to these comments, Mr. Paneerselvam sent a 6-page statement in which he urged Kamal Haasan to watch his own film, ‘Anbe Sivam’ again to understand the magnitude of a ‘natural disaster.’ He argued that the State has seen historic rains and Ms. Jayalalithaa’s proactive measures and efforts greatly reduced the loss of life and property.
“When the State is returning to normality, actor Kamal Haasan has given an unqualified interview without taking into account the extraordinary nature of this natural disaster,” he said.
He charged the actor with insulting people of Tamil Nadu when the State government was going all out to provide relief and rescue to its people.
