Days after Tamil Nadu Minister for Milk and Rural Development KT Rajenthra Bhalaji said that Kamal Haasan’s tongue should be “cut off” for the latter’s ‘Hindu terror’ remark, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) lodged a police complaint against the AIADMK leader.
In their complaint, submitted to Chennai’s Commissioner of Police on Monday, MNM accused Bhalaji of criminal intimidation and defamation of its founder.
The complaint was filed by MNM General Secretary A Arunachalam. He alleged that Bhalaji had threatened violence against Haasan.
The MNM also reportedly alleged that Bhalaji defamed Haasan with baseless allegations of a nexus between his party and the ISIS.
The MNM said that an attack on Haasan in Aravakuruchi constituency in Karur district on 16 May was instigated by Bhalaji’s call to beat up the party founder.
Slippers were thrown at Haasan in Thiruparankundram Assembly constituency on the same day.
Commenting on Haasan’s remarks, Bhalaji had on 14 May said, “His tongue should be cut off…he has said (free India’s first extremist) was a Hindu. Extremism has no religion, neither Hindu nor Muslim nor Christian.”
During campaigning in the Aravakurichi assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on 12 May, Haasan had said: “I am not saying this because many Muslims are here. I’m saying this in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. First terrorist in independent India is a Hindu – his name is Nathuram Godse.”
Earlier today, Haasan got protection from arrest after the Madurai bench of Madras High Court gave anticipatory bail to the actor-turned-politician for his speech.