Sterlite stir: Tamil Nadu would become a graveyard if 'we continue to protest against everything,' says Rajinikanth

In his first day out in politics, actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Wednesday earned the wrath of opposition parties in Tamil Nadu for toeing the ruling AIADMK and the BJP’s line of anti-social elements instigating violence in the anti-Sterlite protest on May 22 that led to the killing of 13 people in the police firing. He also lost his cool at Chennai airport when a reporter questioned his pro-police statements.

After his announcement of political foray on December 31 last year, Rajinikanth undertook his first political visit to Thoothukudi to meet those injured in the police firing and lathi charge during the protest against Sterlite Coppler smelter plant.

“The protest against Sterlite was held peacefully for 100 days. It is only the anti-social elements and miscreants that intruded the protest set on fire vehicles and attacked the collectorate and the Sterlite workers quarters...There is an increase in the number of the anti-social elements in the state,” Rajinikanth said without revealing the names of any anti-social elements.

Rajinikanth, whose movie Kaala would hit the screens on June 7, urged the state government to follow the footsteps of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa to control the anti-social elements with an iron hand. 

“If not, the state will face a grave danger from such forces,” he warned. He said that the police should identify those who resorted to violence with available CCTV and video footage, declare them as anti-social and publish their pictures in newspapers and release it to television channels. “This should be in addition to stringent punishment,” he said.

The actor warned that protesting against every project would drive away industries which would only deprive youngsters of job opportunities. He advised the people to approach court if they have any problem with industries rather than protesting against it.

Later, at Chennai airport, Rajinikanth lost his cool and said that Tamil Nadu would become a graveyard if “we continued to protest against everything.” When asked about his pro-police statements, he said that he would not accept any attack on the police.  
Rajinikanth’s statement blaming the anti-socials and asking the people not to protest did not go down well with the with opposition parties. CPI (M) state secretary K Balakrishnan asked the actor to take back his statement on anti-social elements and advising people against protesting for their rights. “He should apologise for insulting the people’s protest against the Sterlite for the past 23 years,” he said. 

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi general secretary D Ravikumar tweeted that Rajinikanth’s statement on anti-social elements proves that he has gone to Thoothukudi as a “goodwill ambassador” of the BJP.

Incidentally, Rajinikanth’s statement was welcomed only by the BJP. “I welcome Rajinikanth’s social concern that the protest should be held cautiously,” BJP state unit president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Anti-Sterlite protestor asks Rajinikanth"who are you?"

Rajinikanth faced an embarrassing question from one of the youths undergoing treatment at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital for injuries sustained during the anti-Sterlite protests. The youth asked him “who are you?”

The youth’s question has started trending on the twitter with the hashtag #NaandhaanpaRajinikanth for many hours.

When the actor arrived at his bed to inquire about his health, the youngster asked, “Who are you?” to which he politely replied saying, “I’m Rajinikanth.” The youth retorts saying that he knows that even as Rajinikanth says “ok ok”. He asked the actor why he did not come when they protest for 100 days? 

Shocked by the query, the actor moved to the next bed shaking his hands.

The youth, Santhosh Raj, a B Com graduate from Pandaarampattti near Thoothukudi, was an active participant in the anti-Sterlite protest at A. Kumareddiyapuram, the epic centre of the protest. He has been posing embarrassing questions to VIPs visiting the victims. He also questioned Minister Kadambur Raju when he visited the injured protestors on May 27 and forced him to cut short his visit. Next day, when Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam visited the injured in the hospital media was not allowed.