Published 13:05 IST, May 20th 2019
Kamal Haasan gets anticipatory bail from Madras High Court over 'India's first terrorist was Hindu' comment citing Nathuram Godse
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan has been given anticipatory bail by the Madhurai bench of the Madras High Court over his 'Hindu terrorist' remark.
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Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan has been given anticipatory bail by the Madhurai bench of the Madras High Court over his 'Hindu terrorist' remark.
The Karur police filed an FIR against the actor-turned-politician under two Sections including a non-bailable section, following which Haasan approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail last week.
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The entire controversy started when Haasan last week said that free India's first terrorist was a Hindu, in reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assailant Nathuram Godse. Making open references to various religions, Kamal Haasan put forth that he was among the 'proud Indians' who desire a nation that espouses equality and where the 'three colours' of the Tricolour remain intact.
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He said, "I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area," Haasan prefaced his remarks, adding, "but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India's first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it began."
Following which at a public meeting at his party, in Aravakurichi, two unidentified persons allegedly hurled eggs and stones at the dais, police said. This was the second target following his controversial comment.
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The 'Hindu terror' controversy escalated after the saffron party leader and terror accused Pragya Thakur in retaliation to Haasan said that 'Nathuram Godse was, is and will remain a deshbhakt'
"Nathuram Godse was, is and will remain a 'Deshbhakt'. People calling him a terrorist should instead look within, such people will be given a befitting reply in these elections," said Thakur.
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Following which BJP's Bhopal candidate was at the receiving end of massive public the entire party distanced itself from the contentious remark, further demanded an apology from her.
Meanwhile, amid nation-wide uproar over the comment, in a final campaign interview to Republic Media Network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he won't "ever" be able to forgive Sadhvi Pragya for her comment.
He said, "The remark is highly condemnable and unacceptable. People should not make such mistakes. People should not make such mistakes even by mistake. One must be aware. Yes, she may have apologised later, but I won't ever be able to forgive her."
(Jo bayan aaya hai, puri tarah nindaniye hai, aswikariye hai, aur kabhi bhi aise logo ko aise galti nhi karni chahiye, galti se bhi galti nhi karni chahiye, galti se bhi galti nhi karni chahiye, satark rehna chahiye. Theek hai, baad main unhone maafi mangi, lekin main mann se unko maaf nhi kar paunga, jeevan bhar nhi kar paunga," the Prime Minister said in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone.)
13:01 IST, May 20th 2019