Kamal Haasan postpones Coimbatore tour citing Thoothukudi firing issue

The 63-year-old is said to have made this decision as he believes it is a sensitive period in Tamil Nadu at present and wants the Thoothukudi issue to be resolved before he begins interacting with the people of the state again – and then follows up on his model village implementation programme.

Meanwhile, Makkal Needhi Maiam, the party founded by Kamal, has raised a series of questions to the state government during the debates in demand for grants by various departments in the state Assembly session that is scheduled until July 9.

The party said that the questions that are being raised were based on extensive internal research and inputs received from its members through the organisation’s whistle blower app, Maiam Whistle.

Questions raised to the Handloom, Textiles, Khadi, Village Industries and Handicrafts department include the possibility of reskilling those working in the plastic industries to accommodate in the handloom industry once the proposed plastic ban comes into effect from January 2019.

Concerns were raised about the status of the proposed Arani Silk Park and the delay in constitution of a Silk Board in Tamil Nadu. The party questioned why subsidies to weavers have been stopped and whether the government has taken any measure to addresses loss of jobs due to powerlooms.

The party has also been proactive about complaints received on the Whistle App. On the occasion of World Environment Day, members of Makkal Needhi Maiam helped clear overgrowth in the river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi after receiving complaints about it. They took requisite permission from the police and revenue department before undertaking the task.