Analysts term Rajini’s comments on voters as right to dissent

A fringe outfit had preferred a plaint with the state against the Kabali star for his remarks, while the memorial for the Tamil thespian was unveiled. But, legal experts suggest the petition will not hold water as the actor had every right to make such a reference in a democracy. 

The forum, representing common people, in its petition, stated that the actor’s assertion demeaned the voters overall, who exercised their franchise to non-actors in the then situation.

Rajinikanth had said, “Sivaji has left a lesson not just in cinema, but also in politics. He started his own political party, fought and lost from his own constituency. This was not an insult to him, but the people of that constituency.” 

“If voters are so perfect, the political parties would seldom exist. It would take an entire new generation of voters and candidates, who would have consensus on everything under the sun,” said K Kanagaraj, state secretariat member, CPM. 

“We cannot blame the actor. Rajini can have his views on the issue and the same can be countered with by the offended group, which had in fact gone on to prefer a complaint with the state machinery,” he added. 

“Such invectives on the electorate are not uncommon in politics, especially in the South. It had been there for decades. Some were upset when former chief minister K Kamarajar had lost. 

The DMK would employ such a rhetoric at times of electoral defeat. It is purely subjective. When Rajini spoke at the event, he was talking about Sivaji. His outburst showed that he was upset as Sivaji’s door to politics was shut on the defeat,” political commentator Govi Lenin said. He added that the forum could be after Rajini for publicity. “There was no criminality involved in Rajini’s remarks. 

Even if it was expressive, it wasn’t illegal. The petition has no legal standing, and is not maintainable. The actor has every right in a democracy to make such a statement in a democracy,” said legal expert S Ravindran Doraisamy.