Kamal’s speech taken out of context: MNM leader

In the wake of the controversy over actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan’s statement that the first extremist of independent India was a Hindu, Makkal Needhi Maiam vice-president R. Mahendran clarified that Mr. Hasaan’s speech was completely taken out of context and that he was calling for religious tolerance, condemning extremism across religions.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, Mr. Mahendran said Mr. Haasan’s speech in Aravakurichi was twisted at the behest of certain political groups with mala fide intent.

The speech had been painted as anti-Hindu. “This has created confusion and anxiety among the citizens who are not privy to the larger conspiracy,” he said.

Mr. Mahendran added that in order to ensure a neutral and fair position on this, the media should play the entire speech of Mr. Haasan so that it is understood in the right context by the people and the malicious intent of some groups is exposed.