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Updated May 17th, 2019 at 15:26 IST

Every religion has its own terrorist: Kamal Haasan

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who is at the centre of a raging row over his Hindu extremist remarks, Friday said “every religion has its own terrorists” and that no one claim to be sanctimonious.

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Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who is at the centre of a raging row over his Hindu extremist remarks, Friday said “every religion has its own terrorists” and that no one claim to be sanctimonious.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief also said that he was not afraid of being arrested but warned any such action would escalate tensions.

The MNM founder said the remarks made during the Aravakurichi Assembly segment bypoll campaign meet on Sunday were not made for the first time, even as he asserted that “every religion has its own terrorist” and “this shows that all religions have their extremists.”

The actor-politician, who had filed an anticipatory bail after an FIR was registered in Aravakurichi in Karur district for his remarks, said he had made similar comments in Chennai during the Lok Sabha election campaign but it was being taken note of now by those people “whose confidence is dipping“.

READ| Spoke Only A 'historic Truth': Kamal Haasan On "first Extremist A Hindu" Comment

“Let me tell you terrorists abound all religions...every religion has its own terrorists and we cannot claim that we are sanctimonious and we have not done that. History shows you that all religions have their extremists,” he told reporters here, adding his focus in Sunday’s campaign speech was on maintaining harmony.

Asked if he had filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Madras High Court fearing arrest, Mr. Haasan replied in the negative.

“I don’t fear arrest but I have got campaigning to do. Let them arrest.. but if they arrest me tensions will escalate. This is not my request but an advice,” he said.

With regard to police denying permission for him to undertake campaigning in Sulur Assembly constituency in Coimbatore, the MNM chief asked if there was problem then why can’t the bypoll be postponed.

READ| CONTROVERSIAL: "Nathuram Godse Was, Is, And Will Always Remain A Deshbhakt," Says Sadhvi Pragya Thakur Attacking Kamal Haasan Over His 'Godse' Remark

Haasan on Wednesday said he only spoke a 'historic truth' after his remark that free India's first extremist was a Hindu, a reference to Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse, triggered a huge controversy.

The FIR was registered by Aravakurichi police on Tuesday under Sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with 'outraging religious feelings' and 'promoting enmity between different groups' respectively.

The MNM claimed that Haasan's comments had been taken "completely out of context." 

 

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Published May 17th, 2019 at 15:09 IST

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