Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan on Friday has blamed "government apathy" and "half-baked politicians" for recent death of a 23-year old techie in Chennai after an illegal hoarding put up by an AIMK functionary crashed on her. victim, R Subhashree, was riding a two-wheeler when she lost her balance and fell on ro after hoarding crashed on her. She was run over by a water tanker that came from behind. incident prompted public outr. Haasan has said powers-that-be have kept people "slaves" by calling m "ordinary" folks, but asserted such "ordinary" citizens create "extraordinary" leers.

RE | Kamal Haasan Voices Against TN Introducing Board Exams For Class 5 & 8

Kamal Hassan blames state government

He said such deaths should be treated and booked as "murders" so y don't repeat mselves.

"Many Subhashrees and Raghus have been killed due to government apathy," Haasan said in a video.

K Raghupathy (Raghu) also died in similar fashion in 2017 in Coimbatore when he was run over by a Corporation lorry after his two-wheeler rammed into an arch erected for MG Ramachandran's Centenary fete n. On Friday, Haasan wondered "how many more lives would be taken away by se igrant officials and half-baked politicians." "Don't y have common sense on where to erect or t erect banners," he said. He indicated that if questions are raised in state, n it is met with intimidation, apparently by ruling party leers.

"Intimidating (those who) raise questions, threatening to chop-off tongue if one points out at mistakes this is politics y kw. I have scant respect or fear for such persons," Haasan said.

RE | Rakesh Sinha Accuses Kamal Haasan & MK Stalin Of Linguistic Politics

He was apparently referring to Tamil Nu Minister KT Rajenthra Bhalaji's statement in May this year that Haasan's tongue should be chopped off for his statement at a poll rally that India's "first extremist was a Hindu". Haasan me remark in reference to Nathuram Godse, who h gunned down Mahatma Gandhi. On Friday, actor-politician said people choose to elect ir leers "and be ir slaves forever."

"If you say we will decide our rulers and be ir slaves forever, re is crazier thing than that. y (rulers) have kept you as slaves by repeatedly calling you ordinary people. I strongly believe that se ordinary people create extraordinary leers," Haasan ded.

RE | Kamal Haasan Reiterates Compromise On Tamil, Threatens Protests

Kamal Hassan sympathizes with victim's family

He said if people were afraid to question those in power, n y should take his hand, and that his MNM would t only raise those issues but also strive for a solution. "Come, let us question mistakes and create a new leership," he ded. Sympathizing with parents of woman techie, he said "most difficult" thing was to convey information of a ward's death to parents. So was in this case too and t just Subhashree's parents but anyone who "saw her blood" on ro will feel "horror and pain of death." He could also feel that as far of two girls, Haasan said. Later, speaking to reporters, he said such incidents should be treated as "murder" and legally handled accordingly so that y don't repeat. MNM chief also questioned why AIMK functionary who h allegedly erected illegal hoardings, h t yet been arrested.

RE: Mras HC Slams AIMK Govt After Illegal Banner Kills 23-yr-old Girl