PIL in Delhi HC terms Kamal’s talk as violation

The petition was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice AJ Bhambhani by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay who has also sought debarring of candidates and deregistration of parties which misuse religion for electoral gains. The bench allowed the plea to be listed for hearing on Wednesday before an appropriate bench.

Upadhyay, also a lawyer, alleged that Kamal “deliberately” made the statement in the presence of a Muslim majority crowd for electoral gains. The petition contends that this was “clearly a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1951.”

“Kamal has violated the Model Code of Conduct in addition to section 123(3) of the RPA 1951. Kamal is deliberately promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and brotherhood, which is an offence under section 153A of the IPC. 

It is a deliberate and malicious act, intended to outrage religious feelings of millions of Hindus, which is an offence under section 295A IPC,” the petition claimed.

It also said that despite the alleged misuse of religion for electoral gains by Kamal, the EC has not done anything in this regard yet.

Police security have been provided at the residence of actor-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan after his Hindu terror remarks drew condemnation from BJP and other Hindu outfits. 

The actor-politician too on Tuesday called off the election campaign in Ottapidaram (Reserved) Assembly Constituency in Thoothukudi district at the last minute.

As a precautionary measure, the residence and MNM office at Alwarpet in the city was provided with police security. According to police, a ten-member team headed by an Inspector has been posted outside his residence from Tuesday morning.

Kamal, who was scheduled to campaign in the Ottapidaram constituency for MNM’s alliance Valarum Tamizhagam Party candidate M Gandhi for the May 19 by-poll, cancelled his programme at the last minute, party sources said.

Though no official reason was given for the decision, it was learnt that the MNM chief had cancelled his programme in view of strong protests from BJP, AIADMK and Sangh Parivar groups. 

However, Kamal will undertake election campaign at Tiruparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai district as per schedule on Wednesday to canvass for votes for his party candidate P Shaktivel.

Earlier, Kamal had cancelled his election campaign at Aravakurichi on (Monday).  It was stated that he called of his campaign in Aravakurichi after the EC reportedly refused to give permission for it.

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan’s comment on Godse has not gone well with not just Hindu outfits but also with Muslim outfits as Tamil Nadu Muslim League (TNML) on Tuesday demanded the Election Commission (EC) to take legal action on the actor-turned-politician. 

VMS Mustafa, founding president, TNML, submitted a petition to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sathyabrata Sahoo, demanding action on Kamal. After meeting Sahoo, Mustafa said, “Hindus and Muslims are living amicably in the state and the speech of Kamal has triggered panic among both the communities.”

Hindu outfits condemned Kamal and his effigy was burnt in various places. In the meantime, his comments were also not welcomed by Muslim outfits. Mustafa said that the statement of Kamal has the potential to create social unrest and action should be taken on him. “MNM should be banned and the party candidates should be disqualified,” demanded Mustafa.

Similarly, DMDK treasurer Premalatha, said that Kamal should be careful in criticising any religion, irrespective of whether he has belief in God or not.