Fringe group targets Kamal Haasan over his Godse comment, hurls eggs, stones at him during his public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Aravakurichi

Tension prevailed at a public meeting of Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan in Aravakurichi on Thursday after two unidentified persons allegedly hurled eggs and stones at the dais, police said. This is the second time the actor-turned-politician has been targeted following his 'free India's first terrorist was a Hindu' comment in reference to Nathuram Godse.

Meanwhile, police in Coimbatore district denied permission for the actor to undertake campaign for the Sulur bypoll on Friday.

No one was injured in the incident at Aravakurichi which happened when Haasan was getting off the stage after completing his addressfor campaigning for the local candidate. He was escorted to safety, police said.

MNM workers roughed up the two persons suspected to have hurled stones and eggs, before police rescued them and took then away for questioning. MNM workers staged a protest but police officials held talks with them.

The incident comes a day after footwear was hurled towards a vehicle from which Haasan was addressing an election meeting in the Tirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening.

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

Police said permission has not been granted for Haasan to undertake the bypoll campaign in Sulur in Coimbatore in the backdrop of the ongoing controversy.

Haasan, founder of new political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), kicked up a controversy this week with his comment that "free India's first terrorist was a Hindu", a reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse 

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

READ | Kamal Haasan Stokes Raging Controversy, Says 'free India's First Terrorist Was A Hindu' In Reference To Nathuram Godse

(With inputs from PTI)