Rajinikanth clarifies on his Krishna-Arjuna statement, stands by his praise of Modi-Shah on Article 370

After actor Rajinikanth's statement extolling Home Minister Amit Shah's handling of the revocation of Article 370 had kicked up a storm in Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday evening, he reiterated his stand and heaped further praise on Modi government's strategy on Kashmir. 

Speaking to reporters outside his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, the Tamil superstar said that he likened Modi-Shah duo to Arjuna and Krishna from Hindu mythology Mahabharata because not just did they plan the abrogation of Article 370 to precision but even executed it meticulously. Saying that since this was a matter of national security, he added that the operation is of extreme significance. 

He further said, 'Kashmir was like a home for terrorists, it was like a  gateway for terrorists. Given that they handled it very well; They systematically implemented by announcing the imposition of section 144 beforehand, then placed those who could create trouble under house arrest'. 

READ | Rajinikanth Lauds ‘Mission Kashmir’, Says 'Amit Shah And PM Modi Like Krishna-Arjuna'

Elaborating why he thought the home Minister was laud-worthy, he said, 'The manner in which they planned tabling the bill in Rajya Sabha first, where they(BJP) don't have a majority, passing it there shows planning'. 

His statement ended with a scathing attack on naysayers who have been chastising him for the last two days. Responding to the criticism, Rajini added 'Politicians should know what to politicise, matters of national security should be above playing politics'. 

On Sunday, Rajinikanth, who has announced his intention to enter politics, had hailed HM Amit Shah for the union government's decision to scrap Article 370 in Kashmir and also applauded Shah's speech in parliament regarding the same. 

Even though Rajinikanth was not slated to speak at the Vice President's book launch, his forthcoming acclaim of Amit Shah, who was present on stage, took many by surprise. And subsequently also stirred a huge political controversy as the opposition parties like Congress took potshots at the superstar and BJP came to his rescue. 

Many believe that with this open statement and firm reiteration, Rajinikanth has sounded the poll bugle for his plunge into electoral politics and set the agenda for his party.

READ | BJP Backs Rajinikanth Amid Attack By Karti Chidambaram, Asks, 'If Congress Accepts History, How Will It Play Politics?'