Kamal Haasan defends meeting Kumaraswamy on Cauvery issue

There is no restriction to work for a noble cause, says the actor-turned politician.

Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiyam leader Kamal Haasan addressing the media after meeting Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru on Monday.

In the wake of criticism from some farmers’ leaders over his recent meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on the Cauvery issue, actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan on Wednesday said there was no restriction to work for a noble cause. He urged farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to talk it out to keep “other politicians” at bay.

The Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder was talking to reporters after meeting leaders of some farmers’ associations in Chennai.

“People are raising questions on my importance. I would say there is no restriction to work for a noble cause.To which political outfit did freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi belong? He used to be at the forefront to fight any issue,” he said.

On Monday, Mr. Hassan met Mr. Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru and discussed the Cauvery issue and pitched for talks to resolve the issue, saying courts were never a solution to the problem of sharing of the inter-state river.

Some farmers’ leaders on Tuesday criticised Mr. Hassan for advocating talks, saying why he should now pitch for dialogue with Karnataka when a Cauvery Water Management Authority has been set up after decades of legal battle.

Farmers welcome move

However, a group of representatives of some farmers organisations that met Mr. Hassan on Wednesday welcomed his initiative.

They presented him with a sword and a pick-axe as a token of appreciation of his efforts on the issue, they said.

“We are open to anyone who comes to the rescue of farmers. The meeting with the [Karnataka] Chief Minister should not be politicised,” president of the National-South Indian Rivers Linking Farmers Association P Ayyakkannu said.

President of Federation of Farmers’ Association P.K. Deivasigamani and representatives of some other farmers’ bodies were present during the meeting with Mr. Hassan.

'Kaala' release

On the opposition to Mr. Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala in Karnataka, Mr. Hassan said there were many people in the neighbouring State waiting for the release of the movie, which is set to hit screens on Thursday worldwide.

The MNM leader on Monday said the film row did not figure in his talks with Mr. Kumaraswamy.