Youth who questioned Rajini clarifies

Barely 48 hours after he embarrassed actor Rajinikanth asking, “Who are you?” that forced the actor to introduce himself, “I am Rajinikanth”, the Thoothukudi youth, K. Santhosh Raj, a victim of police action during the anti-Sterlite protests, clarified that his intention was misconstrued.

In a video clip released on social media, the B.Com. graduate claimed: “My question to him (Rajinikanth) was posed as a matter of right to someone who was entering politics to serve the people.”

When Mr. Rajinikanth visited the injured being treatment at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, Mr. Raj stunned everyone around, including the actor by asking him, “Who are you?” When the actor introduced himself saying, “I am Rajinikanth,” the youth without blinking asked him why it took so many days for him to visit the anti-Sterlite agitators who had been protesting continuously for 100 days.

Soon, the video of this incident went viral on social media with the hash tag #NaandhaanpaRajinikath (I am Rajinikanth) trending on Twitter for several hours.

Mr. Raj Kumar of Pandarampatti on Friday clarified that the media and trolls twisted the video clip of the incident to suit their requirement.

“While politicians draw their respect from the power they hold, it is not the case with Mr. Rajinikanth,” the youth who sustained bleeding injuries on his head during lathicharge, said adding, “Even if he does not hold an office of power, the very word Rajini fetches him respect.

“My question was with a heavy heart as had Mr. Rajinikanth extended his support to our anti-Sterlite protest, it could have been a big force multiplier.” But, due to the “twist” given to the incident, it would have an adverse impact on him as an individual, he said.