Kamal Haasan Makes Misleading Comment On ‘Janeu’, Get Exposed For His Doublespeak

Tamil actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan’s comment on the sacred thread (janeu or poonool) to a harmless question has come in for harsh criticism in Tamil Nadu, especially from those who wear it.

A fan of his on Twitter (@pandi-tamilan) asked the actor in Tamil which of the books he had read affected him the most. A book is also called “nool” in Tamil. In Tamil, “nool” also means a thread, while a book can also be “pusthakam”.

Kamal Haasan mischievously turned the word that meant book into one that meant thread. He responded that he had avoided one thread that affected him much. “It’s poonool and that’s why I avoided it,” he responded.

This has resulted in many criticising the actor’s response. Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association President N Narayanan has said that the actor is indulging in cheap politics to try and garner votes. People in Tamil Nadu had never looked at any leader’s caste and had always gone by the efficiency, capability and kind-heartedness to vote, Narayanan said, pointing out at late Jayalalithaa’s popularity among the people despite she being a Brahmin.

Yet another criticism against Kamal Haasan was that even people of other community wore the sacred thread and he was pulling them down as well.

The Twitterati reminded of incidents to show how the actor was misleading people. One person came up with a photo of Kamal Haasan’s first marriage with Vani Ganapathy, where he is seen wearing the sacred thread.

Another incident that a Twitter user brought to light was how his daughter Shruti Haasan had claimed in an interview that she belonged to the Iyengar community.

Critics took the opportunity to attack Kamal Haasan for also saying that he had never believed in castes and had never given the caste identity to his children. Given the fact that the actor is trying to prove himself as a more staunch Dravidian than Dravidian party leaders themselves, this should come as no surprise.