India's 1st Terrorist Was A Hindu: Kamal

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has stoked a controversy, saying independent India's first terrorist was a Hindu, referring to Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi. The Makkal Needhi Maiam president while speaking at an election rally for his party candidate in Aravakurichi assembly constituency, where bypolls will be held on Sunday clarified that his statement was not meant to appeal to the Muslim-majority electorate in the constituency.

Kamal reportedly stated, “I am not saying this because many Muslims are here. I'm saying this in front of Gandhi's statue. The first terrorist post India's independence is a Hindu. His name is Nathuram Godse.”

He said he was one of those proud Indians who desires an India with equality and where the three colors in the tri-color, an obvious reference to different faiths, remained intact.

Earlier too, Kamal had stoked a row in 2017, when he took potshots at what he termed as Hindu extremism, which drew condemnation from the BJP and Hindu outfits.

Reacting to Kamal’s statement, the BJP said he is lighting a dangerous fire. “Actor Kamalahasan recalling Gandhi’s assassination now and calling it Hindu terrorism is condemnable.Standing amidst minorities in TN by-election campaign he is lighting a dangerous fire to gain votes by minority appeasement.kamal didn’t opine on recent Srilanka bomb blast why? (sic),” Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan tweeted.

Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi, who will be seen essaying the role of Narendra Modi in a biopic based on the PM, criticized Kamal for his remarks.

“Dear Kamal sir, you are a great artist. Just like art has no religion, terror has no religion either! You can say Ghodse was a terrorist, why would you specify ‘Hindu’ ? Is it because you were in a Muslim dominated area looking for votes?” Oberoi said.