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News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Kamal Haasan Receives Death Threat Over Comment On Sanatana Dharma
Kamal Haasan receives a death threat from actor Ravichandran after criticising Sanatana Dharma during an event, sparking political backlash. Kamal Haasan has found himself in hot water after his comment on Sanatana Dharma, and after calls for a boycott grew, he has now received a death threat. Small-screen actor Ravichandran has threatened to kill Haasan over his comments against Sanatana Dharma. It was during the 15-year celebration of Tamil star Suriya's NGO, Agaram Foundation that Kamal Haasan criticised the central government's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), saying it has crushed the dreams of many MBBS aspirants and stating that it is an 'ill outcome of Sanatana Dharma." After this comment, Haasan faced severe backlash and boycott calls, and has now received a death threat. In a YouTube interview, Ravichandran, a television actor, called Haasan a 'naive politician" and went as far as to say he 'would slit his throat" for making anti-Sanatan comments. This has raised serious concerns for Kamal Haasan and his fans. What Kamal Haasan said about Sanatana Dharma Kamal, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), stated, 'In this war, only education has the power to change the nation. It's the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatana. Do not take any other weapon in your hands. You can't win with any other weapon. Because you will be defeated by majoritarianism; ignorant majoritarians will defeat you." Aftermath of the comment The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently called for a boycott of films featuring actor-politician Kamal Haasan, following his recent remarks on Sanatana Dharma. BJP state secretary Amar Prasad Reddy shared a video message on social media, saying, 'Earlier it was Udhayanidhi Stalin, and now it is Kamal Haasan who wants to destroy Sanatana Dharma. Let's teach them a lesson." He appealed to Hindus to avoid watching Haasan's movies, even on OTT platforms, stating, 'If we do this, they will stop making irresponsible comments that hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus." Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also criticised Haasan, accusing him of insulting Hindu beliefs and condemning his statement. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Karthi moved by Suriya, Jyotika's kids donating pocket money towards educational charity: ‘Makes me happy'
It has been 15 years since Suriya started the Agaram Foundation in Chennai to help fund education for those in need. After his father, Sivakumar, his wife, Jyotika and brother, Karthi, have done their bit to help run the foundation, it looks like his children Diya and Dev are following in their footsteps. Jyotika and Suriya with their children Diya and Dev who have been donating their pocket money to fund education for the needy. Karthi moved by Diya, Dev's donation At the Agaram Foundation's 15th anniversary celebrations in Chennai, students who benefited from the foundation revealed how their lives have changed. Suriya even got emotional after hearing their testimonies. Karthi took to the stage to reveal that his niece and nephew, Diya and Dev, are also helping fund education for the needy through the Maadham 300 initiative. Revealing that the kids have been quietly contributing their pocket money to the initiative every month, he said, 'It really moved me and makes me happy. It shows how the value of giving is being passed down in this family.' Jyotika's contribution to running it all Karthi also praised his brother Suriya and sister-in-law Jyotika, saying she has been a pillar of support. He said, 'Suriya Anna always says it's enough if these children are able to study and grow in life. And whenever we face a financial crunch, Jyotika Anni reassures us, did we start this with money? We started this with love. Money will follow. If not for her support, Anna could not have come this far.' He also pointed out that Jyotika was at the forefront while volunteering their foundation's help to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their focus being on funding Tamil students' education. 'We always learn from what we see around us,' he said. Suriya was last seen in Karthik Subbaraj's Retro, Jyothika last starred in the Netflix web series Dabba Cartel, and Karthi was seen in Prem Kumar's Meiyazhagan. He played a cameo in his brother's film Kanguva and provided voice-over for Siddharth's 3 BHK.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Kamal Haasan's War On Sanatan Dharma Exposes Deep-Rooted Hinduphobia
Last Updated: From films to political rhetoric, Kamal Haasan's consistent vilification of Sanatan Dharma reveals not reformist zeal, but a calculated ideological attack on Hindu identity On August 3, 2025, Tamil actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, speaking at an event organised by the Agaram Foundation, declared that 'education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatan." He urged students to fight 'majority fools" using knowledge and education, an unsubtle attack on what he described as Sanatan Dharma, equating it to tyranny and oppression. This was not an offhand remark. It was part of a long-standing pattern of statements and actions that betray Haasan's deep ideological hostility toward Hinduism. Behind the façade of progressive intellectualism lies a deeply troubling Hinduphobic streak that seeks not reform but erasure of Sanatan Dharma's foundational place in Indian civilisation. Targeted Again Haasan's remarks are reminiscent of the now-infamous comments made by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in 2023, who compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue and corona, calling for its 'eradication." These are not isolated slip-ups. They represent a larger ideological blueprint rooted in the Dravidian political ethos that misrepresents Hinduism as nothing more than a tool of Brahminical oppression. Haasan, who claims to be an atheist but has admitted to evangelising Christianity in the past, continues to demonstrate selective intolerance, particularly toward Hinduism. He has never used such harsh metaphors for other religions or religious institutions. The problem lies not with religion per se, but with the Hindu identity that Sanatan Dharma represents. Kamal Haasan's political activism and cinematic projects reflect a persistent effort to vilify Hinduism. In 2019, he infamously labelled Nathuram Godse, Gandhi's assassin, as 'free India's first terrorist," solely because he was a Hindu. In 2017, he declared that 'extremism has spread even among Hindus," and that they have become violent. In 2022, Haasan dismissed the existence of Hinduism during the Chola era, saying the British had coined the term 'Hindu" to club together Vaishnavites and Shaivites. This distortion ignores the spiritual unity and cultural continuity that Sanatan Dharma has always maintained among its diverse sects. Vaishnavism and Shaivism are not disconnected tribal cults; they are deeply embedded traditions within Hinduism. His views on films like The Kerala Story, which was inspired by real accounts of Hindu girls being radicalised and trafficked into terrorist networks, are equally revealing. While he dismissed it as 'propaganda," he has never acknowledged the overtly anti-Hindu content of his movies, many of which routinely mock deities and Hindu practices. From trivialising Lord Murugan in Kaadhala Kaadhala (1998) to turning Lord Shiva into a bubble-gum-chewing caricature in Pammal K. Sambandam (2002), his filmography reveals a consistent undertone of mockery and ridicule directed at Hindu beliefs. The Dravidianist Playbook Haasan's statements fit neatly into the broader Dravidianist strategy of painting Sanatan Dharma as synonymous with 'Brahminism" and therefore oppressive. This reductionist equation fails to understand or willfully ignores that Sanatan Dharma is not limited to any caste or community. It encompasses a vast spiritual, philosophical, and cultural spectrum from tribal traditions to temple rituals, from Advaita Vedanta to Bhakti poetry. Periyarism, the ideological fountainhead of the DMK and its offshoot, has always used anti-Brahminism as a convenient disguise for anti-Hinduism. Haasan, although technically an outsider to the DMK, finds his relevance today in echoing these divisive themes. His open support for Udhayanidhi Stalin's call to 'eradicate" Sanatan Dharma, masked as a reformist concern for social justice, is an ideological fraud. Reform is not the goal; cultural and religious obliteration is. Education As A Weapon? The irony of Kamal Haasan invoking education as a tool to 'break" Sanatan Dharma cannot be overstated. Historically, Sanatan Dharma has been the bedrock of Indian intellectual tradition, producing timeless treatises in mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and metaphysics. From the Vedas to the Upanishads, from Panini's grammar to Aryabhata's astronomy, Hindu thought has always fostered intellectual inquiry and debate. To claim that education must be used to 'break" such a tradition is not just ignorant, it is malicious. Education, in its true form, seeks to understand and elevate, not destroy. What Haasan seems to advocate is indoctrination masquerading as enlightenment. Politics Over Principle Let us not pretend this is about ideology alone. Kamal Haasan's political ambitions have long floundered. His party, Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM), has failed to make electoral inroads. In this vacuum, Hinduphobia becomes an easy ticket to stay relevant, especially in Tamil Nadu, where anti-Hindu rhetoric often wins brownie points in elite intellectual circles and among so-called progressives. By slandering Sanatan Dharma, Haasan aligns himself with a class of elites who view Hindu traditions as regressive and their Westernised worldview as the gold standard. In doing so, he alienates the very masses, many of them deeply devout Hindus who once celebrated him as a cultural icon. Sanatan Dharma: The Real Liberator It is ironic, if not tragic, that Haasan labels Sanatan as a 'dictatorship." The essence of Sanatan Dharma lies in its pluralism, its acceptance of multiple paths to truth, and its emphasis on inner liberation. Sanatan Dharma gave this land the Bhagavad Gita's call to Karma Yoga, the Upanishadic quest for Atman, and the Bhakti movement's rejection of priestly dominance. It inspired Adi Shankara's Advaita as well as Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita schools of thought that could not be more different and yet coexist harmoniously within the Hindu fold. If anything, Sanatan is the antidote to the very dogmas Haasan accuses it of being. Conclusion: Mask Off Kamal Haasan is not simply calling for reform. He is weaponising education to further a political and ideological project aimed at demonising Hindu identity. In doing so, he does a grave disservice to the millions of Hindus across castes and communities who revere Sanatan Dharma not as a tool of oppression but as a source of inner and social liberation. Let us be clear: this is not about freedom of speech or reformist critique. It is about deliberate, targeted, and consistent Hinduphobia. And it's time we called it out for what it is. In a Hindu-majority country, disparaging Sanatan Dharma may earn Haasan applause from the anti-Hindu echo chambers. But it will also deepen the divide between elites who ridicule faith and the masses who live by it. Kamal Haasan may believe he is breaking chains, but in truth, he is forging new ones: of resentment, division, and cultural alienation. top videos View all Sanatan Dharma doesn't need to be broken. It needs to be understood. And perhaps, that is what Kamal Haasan fears the most. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Prosenjit Nath The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author. tags : Actor Kamal Haasan Sanatan Dharma view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:06 IST News opinion Opinion | Kamal Haasan's War On Sanatan Dharma Exposes Deep-Rooted Hinduphobia Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kamal Haasan's comments on Sanatana Dharma land him in trouble, politicians claim he's trying to ‘divide people'
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan recently attended the 15th anniversary celebration of Suriya's charity, Agaram Foundation, in Chennai. His comments there on education countering Sanatana have not gone down well with the State Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, Amar Prasad Reddy, calling for a ban on his films. Kamal Haasan recently stated that education is the only weapon against Sanatana and dictatorship. (PTI) Political leader calls for ban on Kamal Haasan films Amar posted a video on his X (formerly Twitter), calling for a boycott of Kamal's films both in theatres and on OTT. He captioned the post, 'I appeal to every Hindu - Boycott Kamal Haasan's movies who wants to DESTROY Sanathana Dharma! Let this be a message: Speak against Sanatana Dharma, and face the consequences. Let's see which actor dares to mock Hindus next.' In the video, he says, 'Vanakkam. Kamal Haasan, a very famous actor in his recent speech, he expressed his opinion that he wants to destroy Sanatana Dharma. Earlier, it was Udhayanidhi Stalin (Deputy CM of TN, actor) and now, Kamal Haasan. I appeal to every Hindu, every Sanatani, to teach a lesson to these kind of people. We should ignore watching Kamal Haasan movies, ignore even on OTT. Once we do this, these kinds of statements which hurts billions of Indians, billions of Hindus will not be shared by such people in public platforms. Jai Hind.' BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also condemned Kamal's statement and told ANI, 'First, he raised the language issue, dividing people of different states. Now, he is raising the religious issue to divide people on religious sentiments.' Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) national secretary general Surendra Jain criticised Kamal and told PTI, 'Haasan cannot be innocent. He is deliberately working under an agenda to defame Hindu society.' What did Kamal Haasan say? Kamal, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), spoke about the value of education at the event for Agaram Foundation. Stating that only education can grant the power to change situations, he said, 'In this war, only education has the power to change the nation. It's the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatana. Do not take any other weapon in your hands. You can't win with any other weapon. Because you will be defeated by majoritarianism; ignorant majoritarians will defeat you.' Recently, Kamal also faced flak before the release of his recent film Thug Life with Mani Ratnam, for claiming in Karnataka that Kannada was 'born out of Tamil'. The controversy led to a halt to his film's release in Karnataka as he refused to apologise. The Supreme Court later revoked the ban.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Education only weapon to defeat sanatana dharma'
Chennai: Actor and MNM president Kamal Haasan has re-ignited the debate on sanatana dharma saying that only education can defeat sanatana. At an event on Sunday in Chennai organised by Agaram Foundation, an NGO founded by actor Suriya, Kamal criticised NEET and said laws can be rewritten only through education."Education is the only weapon to break the shackles of dictatorship and sanatana dharma. Don't pick other weapons. If you take other weapons, the 'majority' will defeat you. Majority morons will defeat, and knowledge will be defeated," he said. CPM MP Su Venkatesan was also present at the event. Kamal said that the number of students helped by Agaram Foundation to join medicine has come down after NEET was implemented. "Now can you understand why we oppose NEET? The law has made medical education inaccessible to poor students," Kamal said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai BJP state vice-president Khusbhu Sundar said that Kamal's remarks were unwarranted. Khusbhu said everyone agrees to the first part of Kamal's speech that education was the biggest weapon of all, but the second part of his speech where he mentions sanatana dharma was uncalled for, she said. Other BJP leaders criticized Kamal and said he was making such remarks to please chief minister M K Stalin. In 2023, deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's comments about sanatana dharma lead to petitions being filed against him in courts. The cases are still going on.
