Bharathiraja flays Rajini, calls him outsider

In a two-page statement, he took serious objections to the actor’s tweet and condemned it for portraying the peaceful protesters as those indulging in violence. 

The state, especially Chennai city, witnessed massive protests on April 10 when thousands of people from fringe political parties and members of Tamilar Kalai Ilakkiya Panpadu Maiyam, floated by a group of filmmakers led by Bharathiraja, demanded shifting of IPL matches out of Chennai when the entire state was fighting for its rights on the Cauvery issue. 

Seeking to know whether the peaceful protests could be termed as violent, he said Rajini has made such remarks as all Tamils stood united on the issue. Accusing the actor of betraying the Tamils, he questioned the superstar as to what he had done for Tamil Nadu with the money he had earned through acting in Tamil films. 

He also sought to know where Rajini was when innocent Tamils were killed in Sri Lanka. 

He also chided him for keeping mum over the Neutrino and methane projects, which were being opposed the people. Charging Rajini with being silent on most issues, the filmmaker asked how he was portraying the peaceful protests on Cauvery issue as violent. Bharathiraja said, “Now only it was revealed that you are the messenger of Karnataka...your mask is uncovered.” He also said that Rajini kept quiet when Tamils were attacked during the height of Cauvery protests earlier. Blaming miscreants for the attack on police, Bharathiraja expressed regret over the incident and advised Rajini not to create infighting among Tamils. “We are not fighting for one individual. We are fighting also for your (Rajini’s) food and drinking water needs...Our valorous young Tamils were attacked by the police and they shed blood,” he noted. 

Rajini Makkal Mandram has now elected Pattiveeran as the new district secretary of Dindigul. After SM Thamburaj, who was originally elected to the post was stripped of his position and suspended from the organisation due to misconduct, RR Aravindan was given additional charge as secretary. 

Meanwhile, after choosing the representatives for all the districts in the state, Rajinikanth’s team has now moved to select the office-bearers for Rajini Makkal Mandram in USA and Canada – which were announced on Monday. It seems only a matter of time now when the Mandram is officially transformed into a political outfit. However, Rajinikanth has given no word on that.