TN-HOARDING-HAASAN

Kamal blames 'govt apathy' for techie's death
Chennai, Sep 20 (PTI) Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder
Kamal Haasan on Friday blamed "government apathy" and
"half-baked politicians" for the recent death of a 23-year old
woman techie in Chennai after an illegal hoarding put up by an
AIADMK functionary crashed on her.
    The victim R Subhashree, riding a two-wheeler, had
lost balance and fell on the road after the hoarding crashed
on her and she was run over by a water tanker that came from
behind.
    The incident prompted a public outrage.
    Haasan said the powers that be have kept people
"slaves" by calling them "ordinary" folks, but asserted such
"ordinary" citizens create "extraordinary" leaders.
    "Many Subhashrees and Raghus have been killed due to
this government apathy," Haasan said in a video.
    K Raghupathy (Raghu) also died in similar fashion in
2017 in Coimbatore when he was run over by a Corporation lorry
after his two-wheeler rammed into an arch erected for the MGR
Centenary fete then.
    The late MG Ramachandran, fondly addressed as MGR, is
founder of the ruling AIADMK and a former Chief Minister.
    On Friday, Haasan wondered "how many more lives will
be taken away by these ignorant officials and half-baked
politicians."
    "Don't they have common sense on where to erect or not
not erect banners," he said.
    He indicated that if questions are raised in the
state, then it is met with intimidation, apparently by the
ruling party leaders.
    "Intimidating (those who) raise questions, threatening
to chop-off the tongue if one points out at mistakes--this is
the politics they know.I have scant respect or fear for such
persons," Haasan said.
    He was apparently referring to Tamil Nadu Minister
KT Rajenthra Bhalaji's statement in May this year that
Haasan's tongue should be chopped off for his statement at a
poll rally that India's "first extremist was a Hindu".
    Haasan made the remark in reference to Nathuram Godse,
who had gunned down Mahatma Gandhi.
    On Firday, the actor-politician said people choose to
elect their leaders "and be their slaves forever."
    "If you say we will decide our rulers and be their
slaves forever, there is no crazier thing than that. They
(rulers) have kept you as slaves by repeatedly calling you
ordinary people. I strongly believe that these ordinary people
create extraordinary leaders," Haasan added.
    He said if people were afraid to question those in
power, then "take my hand," and that his MNM will not only
raise those issues but also strive for a solution.
    "Come, let us question the mistakes... create a new
leadership," he added.
    Sympathising with the parents of the woman techie, he
said the "most difficult" thing was to convey the information
of a ward's death to the parents.
    So was in this case too and not just Subhashree's
parents but anyone who "saw her blood" on the road will feel
the "horror and pain of death."
    He could also feel that as the father of two girls,
Haasan said. PTI SA
SS SS

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)