Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has stirred a controversy by asserting that first terrorist in independent India was a Hindu, referring to Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.

"I am not saying this because many Muslims are here. I am saying this in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. The first terrorist in independent India is a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse," Haasan said.

He further expressed his wishes for an India with equality and said, "I am a grandson of Gandhi and I am here to ask a question about that murder. This should be an equal India and the colours in our flag must be in the same proportion, this is the wish of every good Indian".

The statement invoked criticism from Haasan's film industry colleague Vivek Oberoi, a "star campaigner" of the BJP. Oberoi charged the newly-minted politician with appeasing Muslims.

"Dear Kamal sir, you are a great artist. Just like art has no religion, terror has no religion either! You can say Ghodse was a terrorist, why would you specify 'Hindu'? Is it because you were in a Muslim dominated area looking for votes?" Vivek Oberoi wrote on Twitter.

President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Narendra Giri, joined Oberoi in the denunciation and suggested Haasan gets treated while adding that Godse cannot be termed a terrorist.

"Who will tell Kamal Haasan that a Hindu can never be a terrorist. Hindus don't have a mentality or culture to hurt or kill anyone. Wrong accusations have been put on some people, but no Hindu has ever been arrested for terrorism. Nathu Ram Godse doesn't fall under the category of a terrorist. Kamal Hassan should get himself treated and should study about the community that he belongs to", Giri told ANI.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)