Kamal Haasan Stirs New Controversy, Says "Education is the Weapon to Counter Sanatan," Will Effigies Burn Again?

By Sharad Rai

Actor Kamal Haasan has once again played a divisive card. This time, he has targeted India’s Sanatan culture and its system. Haasan stated that education is the only weapon that can counter Sanatan. With this statement, he has sparked a "Sanatan vs. Others" controversy. Following this remark, Sanatan supporters in Tamil Nadu are preparing to launch a "Reform Kamal Haasan" campaign. Sanatan religious organizations and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have called for a boycott of Kamal Haasan. It is worth noting that the Ek Duuje Ke Liye star is known for making statements that disrupt social harmony from time to time. It would not be surprising if public protests led to the burning of Kamal Haasan’s effigies on the streets.

Kamal Haasan Sparks New Controversy Over Remarks

This is not the first time Kamal Haasan has made statements that incite communal tension. He has made similar remarks in the past. Some time ago, he stirred controversy by claiming that the Kannada language "is born out of Tamil," causing an uproar between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the release of his film Thug Life. At that time, people took to the streets in protest, and his posters were burned.

Kamal Haasan Targets Sanatan System, Faces Backlash

Last Sunday, Kamal Haasan attended the 15th anniversary celebration of South Indian star Suriya’s charitable organization Agaram in Chennai. There, as both an actor and a political figure (he is now a Rajya Sabha MP), he spoke to students about education and targeted the Sanatan system. Haasan said, "Education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatan." Previously, his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), had also made anti-Sanatan statements, comparing Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria. Kamal Haasan’s comments on the Sanatan system have sparked anger among people. BJP leader Soundar Rajan has called for a complete boycott of Kamal Haasan, stating that he needs to be taught what to say. BJP state unit vice-president and actress Khushbu Sundar has also appealed to people to oppose those who speak against Sanatan.

Notably, while Kamal Haasan is a star in Hindi films, he supports those who oppose the Hindi language. When Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently opposed the teaching of Hindi in the state, Kamal Haasan stood by him. Thanks to the support of Stalin’s party, DMK, and Kamal Haasan’s MNM, he was made a Rajya Sabha MP. At the Agaram celebration, Haasan, as a guest, insulted Sanatan culture by saying that education should be used as a weapon to reform it. Sanatan followers are furious over this statement. Education unites everyone, but Haasan’s claim that "education should be used to break the chains of Sanatan" incites communal discord. Most enlightened people in the film industry believe that mature stars like Kamal Haasan should speak thoughtfully. However, it seems that making controversial statements is part of Kamal Haasan’s political strategy!

Tags : Anti-Sanatan remarks backlash | Thug Life age gap controversy | SIAA backs Kamal Haasan | Kamal Haasan fans support trending | Thug Life banned Karnataka | Kamal Haasan Kannada row apology | List of Kamal Haasan's Upcoming Movies