Chennai: Actor turned politician Kamal Haasan stunned the Indian public today by asking why the government was not conducting a referendum in Kashmir. He also addressed Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘Azad Kashmir’, indirectly supporting the separatists’ agenda to break Kashmir from the Indian republic.
The 64-year-old actor and founder of political party Makkal Needhi Maiam asked why the government was afraid to conduct a referendum in Kashmir and who it was scared of. Kamal Haasan’s comments come at a time when the country is trying to come out of the shock of Pulwama attacks.
Another shocker from the veteran Tamil actor came when he addressed PoK as ‘Azad Kashmir’, a term used by separatists seeking independence of Kashmir from India. Kamal Haasan’s statements are seen as an insult to the Indian security forces who have been battling all odds to keep Kashmir as an integral part of India.
Kamal Haasan launched Makkal Needhi Maiam in February 2018. He claims that his politics is neither left nor right but center.
Interestingly his party logo and flag consist of six interlocked hands, which he said symbolised six states of South India implying that he is seeking a regional political agenda.
Kamal Haasan’s political views have become questionable after today’s controversial statement. For some, the hero of scores of Tamil movies has turned villain of Indian nationalism. Many are asking if the actor is openly pitching for ‘Breaking India’ forces.