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Tamil Nadu wants me out, says Kamal Haasan

CHENNAI: Upset over the hurdles caused by the ban on the release of mega budget 'Vishwaroopam', an emotional Kamal Haasan today said Tamil Nadu does not want him to stay in the state and he might seek a "secular" place in the country or overseas.

"When M F Hussain can do it, Kamal Haasan will do it...

I am fed up. I am an artiste. After that, I will have to seek a secular state for my stay... Secular state from Kashmir to Kerala, excluding Tamil Nadu... Tamil Nadu wants me out," he said in a choked voice as the fate of the movie is still to be decided in the court.

The actor said he had pledged all his property to make the trilingual movie, estimated to have cost around Rs 100 crore. He said he might lose his house because of the losses incurred by the delay in the release of the movie.

Haasan said he was still to get interim relief as the film shows were "started and stopped" by police today, who sought a physical copy of the single judge's order passed last night, giving clearance of the film.

"...But I believe that along with my Muslim friends, I have been instrument in a political game. I don't know who is playing and not even hazarding the guess. The fact remains that my history has proven that I have been neither leaning to the left or right but trying to maintain my position," Haasan said.

He said he would wait for the judgement of the Madras High Court where the Tamil Nadu government today moved swiftly to file an appeal against the interim relief given by the single judge.

"Now I shall wait for the afternoon judgement but after this... I think I will have to see a secular state for me to stay in. I have nothing to lose. I might as well choose a place which would house an artiste like me.

"I will learn in another couple of days whether I will be able to find a secular state in India or not. I will find, hopefully, another country which is secular that might take me in," Haasan said. — PTI

Govt will be prompt in pursuing Verma panel report: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that the government will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations of JS Verma Committee to amend the law to deal effectively with cases of sexual assault against women. 

In a letter to Justice Verma, former Chief Justice of India, Singh thanked him and other two members of the committee — Justice (retd) Leila Seth and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian — for completing within a short period of 30 days the work of the panel, set up in the wake of the brutal gang rape and assault of a 23-year-old here on December 16 last.

"That the Committee submitted its report within a short period of 30 days is testimony to your commitment and concern for the public good...

"On behalf of our government, I assure you that we will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations of the Committee," the Prime Minister said in the letter.

Singh also thanked the Committee members for their "labour of love" in pursuing their job to recommend amendments to the law to deal effectively with cases of sexual assault of extreme nature against women.

The Verma Committee has recommended enhancing punishment to upto 20 years imprisonment for rape and murder and life term for gang rape but refrained from suggesting death penalty to the guilty.

In its 630-page report submitted to the government on January 23, the Committee suggested various amendments to the criminal laws to provide for higher punishment to rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants.

New offences have been created and stiffer punishment has been suggested for those committing such offence that left the victim in a vegetative state. The new offences include disrobing a woman, voyeurism, stalking and trafficking.

The present statute provides for punishment of imprisonment ranging from seven years to life for rapists. The panel was constituted in the wake of national outrage over the gangrape in a moving bus in south Delhi. The victim died in a Singapore hospital on December 29. — PTI

Open to alliance with Raj, hints cousin Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday hinted that he was open to the possibility of his party joining hands with cousin Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The clear hint came in an interview to the party mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray's first since his father Balasaheb Thackeray's death on November 17 last year and after he took over the reins of the party on January 17.

Responding to a question on whether the cousins could come together, Thackeray said: "You cannot clap with one hand. Tell me, can you?"

Pushing further, Saamna's executive editor and party MP Sanjay Raut asked whether this implied the two parties could join hands?

"Why do you ask this question only to me? I am ready to reply. But for that you have to make us sit together, next to each other. Then you can ask the question to both of us. It depends on both sides," Thackeray said, hinting at the possibility of burying the hatchet with Raj.

"More important than coming together, we have to first analyse why we drifted away... If we reunite, then for what purpose? Who is your main political opponent? Who do you want to destroy politically? And what direction should be taken for achieving this?" Thackeray told Raut.

When asked to clarify his views, Thackeray said the late Bal Thackeray had founded the Shiv Sena over four decades ago to fight for the rights of the Marathis and ensure justice for the sons of the soil.

"Subsequently, when he realised that Islamic groups were posing a threat to the country in the form of a green demon, he said that only the Marathis would not be able to tackle the challenge. So he adopted the policy that in Maharashtra he would fight for Marathis. For the entire country he would be a Hindu," Thackeray said.

He lamented that Marathis were divided on the basis of religion and caste and Bal Thackeray united them under a saffron Hindu banner. But during elections the situation was back to square one.

Thackeray emphasised that the Shiv Sena "was the party of the Marathis" and pointed out that his father had stepped forward to forge an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party over two decades ago to ensure that the Hindu vote did not split. — IANS

Anna's nationwide rally begins in Patna

Patna: Noted anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will start his nationwide anti-graft campaign with 'Jantantra rally’ from Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday.

In a bid to send a political message, the Gandhian leader has chosen to hold a rally in Patna, which is the birthplace of legendary socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as JP.

Patna has been chosen by the Anna Hazare to follow the legacy of JP's anti-graft movement.

Anna arrived in Patna on Tuesday evening and spent the night at Jayaprakash Narayan's house at Kadamkuan here.

Ahead of his rally, veteran social activist said that his movement was never disrupted because of the split with India Against Corruption (IAC) chief Arvind Kejriwal, and added that his 'Jantantra' rally would renew his crusade against rampant corruption.

Anna Hazare also told reporters that a malicious campaign to spoil his movement is being run by some influential persons and some sections in media.

Police to question Ashis Nandy in Delhi

New Delhi: The Rajasthan Police today will question sociologist Ashis Nandy over his anti-Dalit remarks in Delhi. The Rajasthan Police on Tuesday issued a notice to Nandy asking him to appear before it in connection with his controversial remarks against SC and STs at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Nandy, who had left Jaipur on Sunday, said he has not received any summons.

“It is a non-bailable warrant, I am told, under this act. And, if at the age of 75, I am tried under the Atrocities Act and convicted, I will go to jail; I will not contest it,” he said in Delhi.

Nandy had allegedly said people belonging to OBCs and SC/STs were more corrupt. Later, a case was registered against him under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

An FIR was lodged against Nandy and Roy last Saturday by Rajpal Meena, Chairperson of the SC/ST Rajasthan Manch, after Nandy stoked a controversy with his comments.

However, Nandy got some backing from various quarters. Dalit author Kancha Ilaiah, said it was "a bad statement with good intentions".