Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan approached the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail on Wednesday. This after the Karur police booked the actor for promoting enmity for stating that Nathuram Godse, the Hindu man who killed Mahatma Gandhi was Independent India’s first extremist.
On Wednesday, the MNM chief approached the court seeking to quash the FIR, but was denied the same by Justice B Pugalendhi who stated that the court could not get involved at the current stage of events. The judge further advised that Kamal Haasan apply for anticipatory bail in view of the situation, which he has done. The hearing for this is expected to take place on Thursday.
A few days after the MNM chief made the controversial remark, a complaint was given against him by Hindu Munnani’s Karur district secretary, KV Ramakrishnan. An FIR was registered under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code.
Following the stir his statements created, the actor defended his views and stated that people were making allegations against him without listening to his entire speech at Aravakurichi.
“In Aravakurichi I said independent India’s first extremist was a Hindu. It is a historical truth,” he stated. He further added that all his family members were Hindus and that he would not speak in a manner which would hurt their beliefs. He said truth will always be bitter and that bitterness will turn into medicine.
The actor-politician had received both extreme backlash and support following his statement.
Swaraj India National President Yogendra Yadav pointed out that Godse was Hindu and wondered what was wrong in Kamal’s statements. Echoing a similar remark was AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi who also argued that there was truth in what Kamal said. Others however, such as Tamil Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji said the actor-politician’s tongue should be cut for his remarks.
Source: The News Minute