Activists burn Haasan's photos, 7 held

Activists of a fringe Hindu outfit today burnt photos of actor Kamal Haasan near here, protesting against him for hosting the Tamil version of 'Bigg Boss,' the police said.

Led by its general secretary, Jagadeesan, the activists raised slogans against the actor for hosting the show, which, they said, was against Tamil tradition and culture and demanded his arrest, the police said.

They also burnt some photos of the actor at Singanallur following which seven activists were arrested, they said.

On Friday last, the activists of another outfit, the Hindu Makkal Katchi had staged a protest near the actor's residence at Chennai, opposing the Tamil version of "Bigg Boss" that is hosted by him.
 

Hitting out at the actor for participating in the show which allegedly belittled and diminished the Indian culture, the protesters had said "Kamal Haasan should not indulge in such cultural denigration."

The Hindu Makkal Katchi had earlier sought legal action against Haasan and the actors on the reality show being telecast on Vijay TV since June 24.

They had filed a police complaint seeking a ban on the telecast of the show on the Tamil TV channel hosted by Haasan, alleging that it denigrated Tamilian culture.

Meanwhile, Puthiya Tamizhagam, a pro-dalit party said it would approach court seeking Rs 100 crore as damages from the actor for "denigrating remarks" made by a participant in the show against those living in slums.

The remarks had hurt the sentiments of the downtrodden and scheduled castes, PT president K Krishnasamy told reporters here.

Though he asked Haasan, who is hosting the show and the TV channel to apologise for the remarks within two days, they had failed to do so.

As the next step, the party will move court seeking Rs 100 crore as damages for hurting sentiments of slum dwellers, Krishnasamy said.

Even though the actor was not directly involved in the issue, Haasan, who is hosting the show, has the moral responsibility to tender an apology, he said.