On Kamal Haasan’s apology, will retract my words: KT Rajendra Balaji

Thoothukudi: Facing flak from all sides, and as much as Kamal Haasan got slammed for his 'first-terrorist-Hindu' allegation, Dairy Minister K T Rajendra Balaji has now offered to withdraw his threat that the MNM leader could get his tongue chopped. But to do so, Kamal should openly apologise for his charge that the first terrorist in independent India was a Hindu, the minister told reporters here.

“If Kamal Hasan openly apologises for hisirresponsible charge that the first terrorist of Independent India was a Hindu, I am ready to withdraw my retaliatory statement against him,” said minister Balaji.

Lashing out at the Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder-president Kamal Hasan for giving religious colour to terrorism, the minister insisted that he reacted “so strongly only to make him (Kamal) understand that terrorism has no religion”.

He said such irresponsible and provocative statement from the actor-turned-politician could trigger communal tension as he has a great fan following.

“We must check out who is behind him (Kamal); I have suspicion whether the IS has paid him to create communal strife in Tamil Nadu”, minister Balaji said.

Asked if he could make such a provocative (tongue-chopping) statement despite being a minister, Balaji said he had not said anything that violated the oat of secrecy that a minister must honour.