CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Haasan has launched a whistleblower app Maiam Whistle, in an aim to create a public platform and reach out to people. The 63 year old who is expected to launch a political party, said he would be embarking on tour of Tamil Nadu soon. “My dream is to create a good Tamil Nadu. It is important to strengthen the base, before launching the party. There is no need or no hurry to announce the name of the party,” he said. His app is undergoing software testing and will be made available in January. The actor sought the help of the news media to further his cause.
“I do not want to be to the left or the right, and be at the centre, which is why I have named it Maiam Whistle. It is an app through which you can make your complaints and we will address the problems. The product is being beta tested. About 20-25 people are involved in it. Hopefully, we will be able to bring it you by January. This app will be a continuous pressure on whoever is in the government.
In a reference to the Ashoka Chakra, he said, “My dream is to make Tamil Nadu a state with maximum virtuous cycles. Doing one good deed will sow the seeds for more good deeds, forming a virtuous cycle. Our people are virtuous, but it has not translated into action. The virtuous cycle has turned into a vicious cycle because of taint.” Haasan addressed the controversy surrounding his statement on Hindu terror. He stated that he definitely did not want to hurt sentiments of people. “I did not use the word terror, the word I used was 'extreme', like some of my fans who love me.” About his prospective party, he said, “Looking at the larger goal, longer time, so have to make the party ready for it. Working on structural part. The reason why they (people of Tamil Nadu) want a change is probably the reason why they will follow me.”
About his agenda, he said, “The immediate concern is to announce the party's name and when we might contest elections. I take six months to even prepare for a film. So I'm trying to take time and learn what's needed. You can't ask someone what the child's name is when they say they are pregnant.”
In a column for Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan, Haasan expressed his views on Hindu right-wing groups. He wrote, “In the past, Hindu right-wing groups would not indulge in violence but hold a dialogue with opposite parties on their arguments. But this old tactic was defeated and they started using muscle power. They started indulging in violence. The right-wing cannot challenge anyone asking the question: show me one Hindu terrorist. Terror has spread into their camp as well.” The remark attracted sharp criticism, mainly from the BJP. GVL Narasimha Rao, national spokesperson of the ruling party, even compared Haasan to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed.
“Today, when Kamal Haasan makes similar comments, he is actually joining the ranks of P Chidambaram, Hafiz Saeed, and is possible angling to become an extension of the Congress party.” Haasan's column was in reply to a question raised by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about Hindutva forces' efforts to make inroads in Tamil Nadu. The BJP described his remarks as “myopic and brazen”, and called him a “wannabe MGR”. RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha said that it's “not the beginning but end of his public image/political career before it could even start. “Kamal Haasan must apologise for hurting Hindu civilisation, defaming it, trying to create provocation for his petty political end,” he tweeted.
Haasan has for months been talking of launching his own political party. He said, “World over, there is a move towards fascism and a leaning toward the right-wing. But this is a temporary trend, it won't win. There is an attempt to bring back regressive thinking in music, art, to make it right-wing, not just in Tamil Nadu, but throughout the country.”
