Protests should neither wane nor stop, and at the same time, they should not be stained by violence too, said actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport before leaving for a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday, the actor said his views on protests were different from those of actor Rajinikanth.
“I am a student of Gandhi. There must be a character in protests, and that was there with Gandhi.
“Protests are not about fighting with guns and knives but even if guns are brought out, people should have the character to face them with an open heart,” he said.
Mr. Haasan added that protests were a “good path”, but “if there is violence in protests, it (violence) should reduce. But protests should neither reduce nor stop.”
He was responding to a question about his views on Mr. Rajinikanth”s statement that Tamil Nadu would turn into a grave yard if there were protests on all issues. Mr. Haasan said Sterlite had crossed all limits due to greed. “Large industries should come (to Tamil Nadu), but they must also follow the rules of the State,” Mr. Haasan said.