Kamal Haasan says no religion can claim it’s free of violence or extremism

Actor Kamal Haasan on Thursday said religion or greed are the two major causes for all the riots in the world and asserted that no religion could claim that it could not be linked with violence and riots.

Citing the charges against him for his comments connecting Hinduism and terror, he reiterated that he had only used the word ‘extremism’ but added, “I am surprised about the view that religion and extremism cannot be connected with one another. It is said religion and extremism are like water and kerosene, which cannot be mixed. However, religion or greed are the reasons for all the riots in the world”.

Referring to the cases against him for his comments on Hindu extremism, Kamal said, “I have got opportunities to see many courts even without studying for law.” Attending court proceedings will be part of his reach towards the people, he said, adding that he hoped that justice would be delivered.

In a series of articles in a Tamil weekly, Kamal said he had started receiving money from people for launching a party, but added that he had sent the money back since he could not receive money before starting a party. “No one should think that I am going back on my objective (of forming a political party). But, without forming an infrastructure for the party, I cannot touch this money,” he said.

He asserted that his formation of a party was not about moving towards a chair, but due to a strong desire that Tamil Nadu must progress. Kamal also elaborately described the importance of paying income tax and said every citizen must pay his tax correctly, for the proper functioning of the government.

Meanwhile, the actor, who took part in a function, donated Rs. 20 lakh for the formation of a Tamil chair in Harvard University.