Agencies / CHENNAI

Noted Cine star and Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan last evening stoked a controversy by saying “free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu,” referring to Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.

Addressing an election rally at Aravakurichi in Tamil Nadu on Sunday night, the actor-politician said he was one of those “proud Indians” who desired an India with equality and where the “three colours” in the Tricolour, an obvious reference to different faiths, “remained intact.”

He said, “I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (terrorism, apparently) starts.”

Mr. Haasan said he had come here “seeking answers for that murder.” He added,“Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours in the Tricolour to remain intact. I am a good Indian, will proudly proclaim that.”

In November 2017, Mr. Haasan stoked a row, when he took potshots at what he termed “Hindu extremism.” It drew condemnation from the BJP and Hindu outfits.

Aravakurichi is one of the four Assembly constituencies in the State where bypolls are scheduled on May 19. The MNM has fielded S. Mohanraj from this segment.

BJP reacts

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said it was “strongly condemnable” that Mr. Haasan used the phrase “Hindu extremism” in a Muslim-dominated area.

She said while the whole nation was shocked when Gandhi was killed, none can, however, justify it, and pointed out that Godse was hanged for the “heinous” crime.

“Though he talks of taking forward a new kind of politics, he also indulged in the old, mischievous, poisonous and divisive vote bank politics,” Dr. Soundararajan said in a statement. She said his remarks amounted to inciting “communal violence“.