12 reasons to believe Kamal can be a People's Leader
- IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,July 22 2017]
12 reasons to believe Kamal can be a People's Leader
After the Kamal Haasan hinted something like he may take a plunge into politics, some politicians have questioned whether Kamal has raised his voice for any of the issues that have affected Tamil Nadu and its people.
This question will sound ridiculous to even those who would have just watched a few films of the actor and observed his off screen activities. It is beyond doubt that Kamal has registered his anger against social evils, supported the good causes for Tamil and shared the agony of the people in various instances in both his films as well as real life.
In this slide show let us have a recap of some of the incidents where Kamal raised his voice for public causes and took part in protests for people's causes.
Against Hindi imposition
Kamal Haasan claims to have taken part in the Anti-Hindi imposition agitation that was raging in Tamil Nadu in 1960s and it is that protest that paved way for DMK, the first Dravidian political party to capture power in the state. He is also a follower of Periyar E.V.Ramasamy, the founder of the Dravidian Movement. It is sad that today he is being criticised by the ministers of AIADMK which is another major Dravidian party
Sri Lankan Tamils issue
Kamal Haasan s probably the first film star to register his support for Jallikattu in a public forum. It was in 2013 when Kamal attended a quiz show telecast in a Tamil satellite channel. In the show after giving the right answer to a question about the Spanish bull fight, the Ulaganayagan went on to speak a few words about how the bull fight was violence against the animal while Jallikattu is an expression of affection towards the bull. In 2017, the actor actively supported the historic people's protest for the Jallikattu which eventually attained success by forcing the governments to lift the ban on the sport of Tamils.
First film star supporter of Jallikattu
The ethnic conflict in Ezham of Sri Lanka was raging hot in the 1980s when many Tamil people were murdered by the Sinhala Government, This enraged the people of Tamil Nadu and there were many forms of protest. Kamal Haasan at that time had oranized a massive protest condemning the violence against Tamils in Lanka. The photo of the same has been doing rounds in social media recently to counter the ridiculous comments of politicians.
Cauvery water sharing issue
The Cauvery water sharing has been a long standing battle between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Tamil film industry has conduced protests to urge the neighbouring state to give the legally upheld share of water for TN. Kamal has actively participated in all such protests. In these protests he has given hardhitting speeches to uphold the right of TN and he has also insisted that violence should be avoided by both the sides. .
Babri Masjid demolition
The demolition of Babri Masjid in the year 1992, resulted in widespread of communal clashes in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Kamal Hasan was a part of a team of intellectuals who met the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao after the communal clashes In the meeting with the PM, he boldly registered his opinion against the Government's inaction to control the violence. He also questioned the PM for his failure to visit the state during the communal clashes and do his best to control the violence.
Against violence in the name of Cow
Today the violence perpetrated by the Cow-vigilants has become a serious issue across the country, Kamal Haasan is one of the first among the celebrities who strongly condemned violence spread in the name of beaf and he also supported the people's right to eat beef as a choice of food
Fan clubs into Welfare Associations
Kamal Haasan is probably the first actor in Indian cinema to convert his Fan clubs into Welfare Associations. Over the decades, the fans of the actor have been involved and also organised various social service activities such as blood donation, distributing livelihood assistance to poor people etc.
Icon of Organ donation
Kamal Haasan donated his organs to be used for medical purposes after his life. The awareness about organ donation is high these days but Kamal did this long back when the awareness was very low, thereby setting an example for many celebrities and commoners.
Against Caste and Religion
It is well known that Kamal Haasan is rationalist and does not believe in religion and cast. Back in 1990s he refused to mention the religion and caste of his children while getting school admission for them.
Regular tax payer
Unlike many politicians, business magnates and film industry celebrities, Kamal Haasan has always been regular Tax payer and set a good example for the citizens of the country. He has even honoured by the Income Tax department in Chennai as the shining example for good citizenbship for paying his taxes regularly and promptly
A true democrat
Kamal Haasan is a strong supporter of democracy as a form of governance. He has always urged the people to cast their votes without fail in every elections as in a democracy it is the people who select their leaders and only if the people select the right people we will get the right persons at the helm of governance. Kamal has also minced no words in criticising voters who receive money from political parties to cast their votes. Many stars would not do this.
Respectable Indian Nationalist
Kamal Haasan is a true nationalist. Both his films and his off screen activities and speeches have stressed the importance of preserving the nation with its Unity in Diversity. Though he has opposed the Government's in various issues he has never encouraged separatist sentiments and has always been a proud Indian.
To conclude, we can't say at this juncture, whether Kamal will take a plunge into politics. Though many people wish to have a leader like him, we cannot force this decision on him. But if politicians claim that raising voice for people's issues is a basic requirement to enter into politics, the Ulaganayagan is more qualified than many others who are already into party politics in Tamil Nadu.