While on his way to join the protest called by the Tamil film bodies, the veteran actor spoke on various issues, including the protest against his film and his relationship with Kamal Haasan.
Centre will face wrath of Tamil people if Cauvery Management Board not formed: Rajinikanth
Chennai - 09 Apr 2018 12:00 IST
Manigandan KR
Rajinikanth on Sunday (8 April) warned the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government at the centre that it would have to face the wrath and discontentment of the Tamil people if it did not implement the Supeme Court order and form the Cauvery Management Board immediately.
The actor spoke to mediapersons before he left to join the silent protest called by the three most powerful film bodies in Tamil Nadu — Tamil Film Producers' Council, the South Indian Artistes' Association or Nadigar Sangam and the Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI) — in support of the demand for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board and the shutting down of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
The actor, who took time to answer a number of questions on various issues, said that the Supreme Court had firmly stated in its order that the Cauvery Management Board must be formed and added that the Centre had not made any efforts to form the board so far. He reiterated that the demands of the Tamil people were very just in this regard.
When pointed out that there were demands that the Indian Premiere League matches in Chennai be stopped to create awareness on the seriousness of the water crisis in Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth said, "It is good if that could be done or alternatively, our CSK (Chennai Super Kings) players could wear black badges or pieces of cloth to show their solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu. If that is not possible, the youth who go to watch matches could pin black pieces of cloth on their dresses to show their protest."
When asked about the threats made by some fringe groups in Karnataka who have said that they will block his film's in the state, the veteran actor said, "If they block my films release, the state government and the producers will take care of it."
He was also asked if he considers Kamal Haasan his rival. "Kamal Haasan is not my enemy. Poverty, corruption and unemployment are my enemies," Rajinikanth replied.
The actor made it clear that the Sterlite Copper factory in Thoothukudi must be shut down. "If any of the five natural elements of land, air, water, sky or earth are being polluted, then the world will get destroyed. So, no matter how many crores profit we make, no matter how many lakh people get employment, if something pollutes, it needs to be shut down," he said.
