Friday, December 1, 2023
  • Login
The South First
Subscribe to South First Newsletters
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
    • National
  • Movies
    • Kannada
    • Malayalam
    • Tamil
    • Telugu
    • Reviews
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Telangana Elections
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Videos
      • Lifestyle
    • In The News
    • Cartoons
    • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
    • National
  • Movies
    • Kannada
    • Malayalam
    • Tamil
    • Telugu
    • Reviews
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Telangana Elections
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Videos
      • Lifestyle
    • In The News
    • Cartoons
    • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
The South First
No Result
View All Result

Home » Tamil Nadu » Here’s why Kamal Haasan and Rahul Gandhi think only India has the potential to take on China

Here’s why Kamal Haasan and Rahul Gandhi think only India has the potential to take on China

Both leaders discuss 'Hey Ram', Tamil identity, 'worst form of criticism' and threat from across the border.

Shilpa NairbyShilpa Nair
Published:03/01/2023 1:22 pm
A A
Rahul Gandhi and Kamal Hasaan

Kamal Hasaan joined Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra since he felt it was his duty to do so. They discussed various topics of national importance. (Screengrab)

Days after actor-politician Kamal Haasan joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi, a video of his interaction with the Congress leader was released on Monday, 2 January.

The two leaders discussed politics, Mahatma Gandhi, Tamil Nadu and China, among other things.

In the video, the bonhomie between Gandhi and Haasan was hard to miss. The Congress leader gifted a photograph — clicked by his nephew— of a tiger drinking water from a river to Haasan, and suggested that the actor-politician’s approach and attitude were like that of the majestic animal.

The two leaders met even as speculations are rife about whether Haasan’s party, the Makkal Needhi Maiam — or Centre for People’s Justice — would join the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2024 general elections. The Congress is an alliance partner.

Gandhi, ‘Hey Ram’ and politics of hate

The actor-politician said he decided to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra since he felt it was his “duty” as an Indian to voice his “anguish and apprehension” over the developments in the country.

It would not have been fair to stay away from the yatra since the Gandhis had walked through “sweat, tears and blood”, and saw “history unfolding from the inner circle”.

He explained how he had rediscovered Mahatma Gandhi over the years.

“My father was a Congress man. But my environment made me a bitter critic of Gandhiji when I was in my teens. My father did not say anything. He said “just read history”… Around the age of 24-25, I discovered Gandhiji on my own. Over the years, I become a fan,” Haasan said.

The Tamil Nadu leader added that his film Hey Ram was an attempt to “say sorry” to “my Bapu” and “correct myself”.

Haasan played the role of a parallel assassin, who wanted to kill the Mahatma but backed out at the last moment after learning more about the Father of the Nation, in the 2000 movie.

“I have to take responsibility for all the crimes, including what happened to your (Rahul Gandhi) family. We let it happen,” he said.

While pointing out that an assassination “can never be the answer”, the Tamil leader also described it as the “worst form of criticism”.

Also read: Why Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd walked with Rahul

Of Tamil Nadu and its identity

The discussion turned to Tamil people and Tamil identity when Gandhi expressed a wish to know more about Tamil Nadu.

“Being a Tamilian means the same as being a Maharashtrian or a Telugu or a Malayali. We all have our pride…. At a particular point, it was felt that there was apathy from the Centre towards Tamil Nadu. That happens. It happens with every government. They (the Tamils) are unhappy with what’s happening now,” Haasan told Gandhi.

On the importance of the Tamil language in society, he highlighted that even “non-religious and Godless people” in the state “worship” Tamil.

A conversation between two proud Indians. All other identities blur when it comes to the Nation . @rahulgandhi

Have a great united Indian new year. https://t.co/TyGHi6ZVPh

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 2, 2023

China and the need for a global security outlook

The conversation soon veered towards China and related security concerns.

Underlining that India should adopt a holistic view when it comes to the security of the country, Gandhi said that India should have a “global view” of security in the 21st century, considering how external threats are not confined to the borders but also extend within the country through cyber warfare and other such attacks.

The Congress leader has been vociferously attacking the Union Government over the Chinese incursions across the Indian border.

“In the 21st century, one has to have a global view of security. That’s where I think our government has gone wrong and miscalculated,” Gandhi explained.

“We constantly hear what’s going on at the borders. The fact is, China has taken over 2,000 sq km of our territory. We haven’t said anything. The Prime Minister hasn’t said anything,” he pointed out.

“The military has clearly stated that the Chinese are sitting inside our territory. But the PM said nobody had come in. This sends a clear message to China that they can do whatever they want and India will not respond. It destroys our negotiating position,” he added.

‘Hey Ram’, Khadi, Films and how only India, not the West, can take on China!

My conversation with @ikamalhaasan on what shapes Indian politics and culture.https://t.co/RiUNzGdE1k pic.twitter.com/lWUtiTd2xx

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2023

Security and internal harmony

The Congress leader further emphasised that the security of a country is linked to “internal cohesion” and “harmony”.

“The single most important thing is that a country should have internal cohesion — that there is harmony in the country, that people are not fighting, that there is peace in the country and the country has a vision. The point is not about going to war. It’s about being in a position where you cannot be attacked,” Gandhi stated.

He added: “There is a link between a weak economy, a confused nation without vision, hatred and anger, and the Chinese sitting in our territory. Because they know we are dealing with internal matters, internal confusion and a lack of harmony. So they think they can come in and do whatever they want.”

Gandhi also drew parallels between the Chinese strategy and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“What the Russians have done in Ukraine is that they said that they will not accept Ukraine’s strong relationship with the West and if you do so, we will alter your geography,” he explained.

“The same principle can be applied in India. What the Chinese are saying to us is, be careful with what you are doing, because otherwise, we will alter your geography by entering Ladakh and Arunachal,” he elaborated.

Gandhi also took on the Central government, accusing it of not discussing issues of national importance with Opposition parties and not taking into account their advice or suggestions.

India — the only answer to China

Both leaders agreed that, unlike the West, only India has the potential to take on China in terms of economy and large-scale manufacturing.

“I believe India can take on the Chinese. What do you need to take on the Chinese? You need a young population, a large number of people, you need a large educated base,” Gandhi said.

“If you look at the West, they have got too much. They are flabby. They are living in opulence. And they outsource. Whereas our people know what struggle is and they understand difficulties. I see a huge opportunity for India to become like China,” he added.

Don't miss our top stories!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Recommended For You

contesting candidates in Telangana elections
In The News

Interactive Map: Constituency-wise list of candidates from the 3 major parties in the Telangana Assembly polls

November 27, 2023
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah PM Narendra Modi Minister Krishna Byre Gowda Drought Monsoon failure
In The News

Karnataka announces interim relief for drought-hit farmers, Union government yet to release funds

December 1, 2023
Votera at a polling booth in Telangana on Thursday, 30 November, 2023.
National

Exit polls overview: Here is the state-wise breakdown of predictions across 5 states

November 30, 2023
Telangana CEO Vikas Raj and GHMC Commissioner D Ronald Rose, who is also Hyderabad's district election officer, monitor the polling situation from the Integrated Command and Control Room set up for the Telangana Assembly Elections.
In The News

Challenges abound as Hyderabad voters exercise their franchise on 30 November

November 30, 2023
BJP and BRS leaders addressed the media after winding up of the election. (Supllied)
In The News

Telangana Assembly elections: BJP complains of rule violation, while KTR says exit polls will be proven wrong

November 30, 2023
Telangana Exit poll
News

South First-Peoples Pulse Exit Poll gives the Congress a clear majority in Telangana

November 30, 2023

Top Stories

Telangana Exit poll

South First-Peoples Pulse Exit Poll gives the Congress a clear majority in Telangana

November 30, 2023
NMC replaces Ashoka Emblem with Hindu deity. (Sourced)

After Union govt renames health and wellness centres as ‘mandirs’, NMC replaces Ashoka Emblem in its logo with Hindu deity

November 30, 2023
Exit polls

Peoples Pulse Exit Polls: It’s 2-1 in favour of Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan

November 30, 2023

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Like and Follow

Follow @TheSouthfirst

Latest

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah PM Narendra Modi Minister Krishna Byre Gowda Drought Monsoon failure

Karnataka announces interim relief for drought-hit farmers, Union government yet to release funds

December 1, 2023
R Subbalakshmi.

Malayalam actor R Subbalakshmi, popular for her grandmother roles, passes away

November 30, 2023
Votera at a polling booth in Telangana on Thursday, 30 November, 2023.

Exit polls overview: Here is the state-wise breakdown of predictions across 5 states

November 30, 2023
The South First

CATEGORIES

  • States
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Movies
  • Lifestyle
  • Health & Wellness
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Telangana

PAGES

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 The South First

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
    • National
  • Movies
    • Kannada
    • Malayalam
    • Tamil
    • Telugu
    • Reviews
  • Telangana Elections
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Health & Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • In The News
  • Cartoons
  • Dakshin Dialogues
  • Videos
    • Lifestyle

© 2023 The South First

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In