ERODE: Touring the Kongu belt, Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan on Sunday visited the house of rationalist leader Periyar, who he calls one of his icons. He went on to say that law and order in Tamil Nadu was deteriorating and asked the government to ensure the safety of women.
Speaking to reporters at various spots where he addressed people who had gathered to listen to him, the actor-politician said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that has adversely affected all sectors should be “thrown into a dustbin.”
Apparently referring to the recent incidents of assault on women in the state including the murder of a college student in Chennai a couple of days ago, Kamal said: “The way women are treated here currently is shameful and they are facing lot of threats and problems on the roads.”
The MNM president demanded that the government take steps to provide safety to women. He also dismissed allegations that he was receiving funds from Christian missionaries, saying, “All I can do is laugh it off.”
On the Cauvery issue, Haasan appealed to the Centre to form the Cauvery Management Board. He condemned the defacement of statues of leaders in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country, but said he was against erection of such statues.
“No one should be allowed to disfigure the statues once they are erected and I condemn the same,” he added. On demonetisation, Kamal said though the move was in right direction, it was not implemented properly.
