Kamal Hassan 'not intimidated' by attacks on him for Nathuram Godse remark
New Delhi, May 17 (IBNS): Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan today said he was "not intimidated" by those attacking him over his comment that Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, "independent India's first extremist", was a Hindu.
"Terrorists abound in all religions. Around history, you can list many people from many religions. I was talking in that term. I said every religion has their own terrorist. You cannot claim that we are sanctimonious," Kamal Haasan told NDTV.
"History shows you all religions have their extremists," said Kamal Haasan, whose new party Makkal Needhi Mayyam is contesting the national election for the first time.
“They got angry for what I spoke at Aravakkurichi. What I spoke is a historic truth,” said the actor-turned-politician while campaigning for the Tirupparankundram assembly by-election at Thoppur on Wednesday evening.
The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder has sparked a controversy on Sunday at Karur district by stating that the first extremist of Independent India was a Hindu whose name was Nathuram Godse.
I did not lure anyone to a brawl. My speech has been quoted out of context, he said.
Defending his remarks, he said truth would triumph like the “historic truth I mentioned”.
Mr. Haasan asked his detractors to make valid allegations, asking if he could cater to only one section of people after entering active politics.
"One should first understand the meaning for the word extremist. I could have used the word terrorist or murderer (against Nathuram Godse). But, ours is active politics, there won’t be any violence," he said.
Alleging that his speech was edited selectively, he said the charges levelled against him will also apply to the media.
"I would like to ask my detractors. Can anyone shows that I have spoken in a discriminatory manner against any religion or community?" he said. “They are saying I hurt Hindu sentiments. There are so many Hindus in my family. My daughter is a believer. I never speak anything to hurt the sentiments of Hindus.”
“I am deeply hurt over the accusations against me,” he said.
The MNM chief’s Hindu extremist remarks triggered controversy across the country. The Sangh Parivar outfits demanded an apology from him and to ban his party. They had also burnt his effigy on Tuesday.
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