During the campaign for Makkal Needhi Maiam, Kamal Haasan addressed the media

Karur : Makkal Needhi Maiam is facing their first election in Aruvarakurichi on May 19. Ahead of the voting the founder of the Party Kamal Haasan, the actor-turned-politician has addressed the media.

He has said on Sunday that the first extremist in independent India was a Hindu. Mr Haasan was referring to Nathuram Godse who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.

“I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Independent India’s first extremist (theevravadi) was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it starts,”

Kamal Haasan said while campaigning in the town of Aravakurichi Tamil Nadu’s Karur district on Sunday night.

Aravakurichi is one of the four assembly constituencies where bypolls are scheduled on May 19. Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has fielded a candidate from that seat.

Mr Haasan said he had come there “seeking answers for that assassination”.

“Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours in the tricolour to remain intact. I am a good Indian, will proudly proclaim that,” he added.

In November 2017, the Tamil mega-star had stoked a controversy by saying that terrorism has infected right-wing groups, provoking a confrontation with the BJP. “In the past, Hindu, right-wing groups would not indulge in violence. They would hold a dialogue with opponents. But now they resort to violence,” Mr Haasan said.

Months later, he said he is not anti-Hindu nor against any other religion.