Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Friday clarified on his ‘Hindu terror’ remark saying that “every religion has its own terrorists and none can claim that they are sanctimonious”.
“History shows that all religions have their extremists,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, men suspected to be members of Hindu Munnani threw eggs and pelted stones at Kamal Hassan while he was on the final leg of campaigning in Aravakurichi assembly constituency.
According to reports, Haasan was targeted with eggs and stones while he was getting down from the stage. However, the actor escaped unhurt.
On Wednesday, slippers were thrown at the MNM chief while campaigning in Thiruparankundram Assembly constituency for his party candidate contesting in May 19 by-election.
The attacks come days after Haasan said that the “first terrorist of independent India was a Hindu” while referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.
Haasan had made the remarks while campaigning in the Aravakurichi assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
“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,” Haasan said.
Following the remark, Tamil Nadu Minister KT Rajenthra Bhalaji said that Kamal Haasan’s tongue should be cut off for making the statement.
“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,” the State Minister for Milk and Dairy Development was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.
BJP leader in Tamil Nadu Tamilisai Soundararajan accused the actor-turned-politician of appeasing minorities.
On the attacks and accusations, Haasan said that he does not feel threatened adding that he was not afraid of getting arrested.
“I am not afraid of being arrested. Let them arrest me. If they do that it will only create more problems. It is not a warning but only advice,” he said.