Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has sparked a controversy by stating that the first extremist of Independent India was a Hindu.
“I am not saying this because there are a lot of Muslims here. Independent India’s first extremist was a Hindu. His name was Nathuram Godse. It begins there,” Mr. Haasan, leader of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, said while canvassing for his party’s Aravakurichi candidate S. Mohanraj at Pallapatti.
Noting that he considered himself a great grandson (manaseega kolluperan) of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Haasan said he had come seeking answers for his assassination.
“India should remain [a society that is] equal and harmonious. The tricolour should remain the same, and that’s the wish of every good Indian,” Mr. Haasan said, proclaiming himself to be a “good Indian”.