Kamal Haasan faces first political hurdle ahead of party launch, denied permission to visit Kalam's school in Rameswaram

Actor Kamal Haasan, who is all set to launch his political party in Madurai today, faced his first political hurdle today after the school education department denied him permission to visit a Rameswaram school where former President APJ Abdul Kalam studied.

Haasan who began his political journey with the visit to Kalam’s residence was scheduled to visit the school and to interact with the students but Hindu Munnai, a fringe outfit, opposed his visit.

The school education department denied permission saying that no political events are allowed inside the school premises. A large posse of police personnel were deployed outside the school with barricades restricting entry to prevent any untoward incidents. “I am not visiting the school as there is a ban against it. I think there is politics in it,” Haasan told reporters while heading to meet with fishermen in the temple town.

As the actor-turned-politician begins his political tour “Naalai Namathey (Tomorrow is ours)”, he met the family of the former president and interacted with them and had breakfast with them. He took the blessings of Kalam’s brother MML Maraikkayar who along with his family member held a special 'Dua' (prayer) for the actor’s political entry.

“Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually, it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple adobe,” Haasan tweeted after his visit to the Kalam’s residence.

After meeting with the fishermen and Kalam’s memorial at Rameswaram, he will head to Madurai where he will launch his political party and its flag at the Othakadai grounds. On the way, he would be addressing three meetings in Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi and Manamadurai in Sivganga district.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to attend the Madurai meeting while Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s video message would be screened.

The 63-year-old actor had earlier stated that his intention to join politics is to “question mediocrity and raise the bar on governance and welfare for the people of Tamil Nadu”.

Kamal Haasan’s political plunge comes at a time when his friend and contemporary Rajinikanth announced his decision to float his own political party to contest the ensuing state assembly polls. Both the actors hoping the fill the vacuum created by the death of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in December 2016 and ailing DMK chief Karunanidhi.

Ahead of Haasan’s political party launch, DMK working president MK Stalin took a veiled dig at Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for their political ambitions.

Stalin likened them to 'glamorous paper flowers' which do not spread fragrance.

"Owing to seasonal changes some flowers may suddenly bloom and later wither. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu's political arena too glamorous paper flowers may bloom," he said in an apparent reference to top actors Rajinikanth and Haasan's political entry.

Kamal Haasan was quick to retort to Stalin's jibe, telling reporters at Madurai that "I am not a flower, I am a seed, sow me, I will grow."