In a stirring maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha, acclaimed actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan laid bare his concerns over India’s democratic foundations. Speaking on Wednesday from Tamil Nadu’s seat, the superstar-turned-MP delved into the sanctity of voter rights, the federal structure, and cultural preservation.
Haasan, who rose from the silver screen to the corridors of power, introduced himself as ‘a child of Paramakudi,’ crediting cinema for awakening his consciousness about Tamil language, history, and social justice. Addressing the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he framed his remarks across emotional, ideological, and constitutional planes.
The heart of his address zeroed in on voter list discrepancies. ‘Millions are being erased from electoral rolls due to spelling mistakes or technical glitches,’ he warned, dubbing them ‘living dead.’ He spotlighted Bihar’s acute crisis, ongoing legal battles in Bengal, and looming threats in Tamil Nadu. ‘Voting is democracy’s bedrock right—no clerical error should strip it away,’ he asserted.
Haasan reminded the house that no government is eternal. ‘Gen Z is watching,’ he cautioned, urging immediate government intervention. This isn’t a personal attack, he clarified, but a clash of ideas essential for democratic health.
Drawing from personal anecdotes, he recounted how ground realities often clash with the Constitution’s vision of India as a union of states. Paying homage to Dravidian leader CN Annadurai, who in 1969 named him an ideological heir, Haasan spoke emotionally of trembling not from stage fright, but the weight of memories.
Invoking Gandhi, Periyar, and Annadurai as his pillars, he pledged reasoned discourse over anger. Thanking Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and allies for his Rajya Sabha nomination, Haasan concluded in Tamil, marking a poignant parliamentary milestone.