Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, Jul 25: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, newly sworn in as Rajya Sabha MP, has released a heartfelt open letter to the people of India, particularly Tamil Nadu, outlining his political vision and commitment to ethical and inclusive governance.

Calling this moment a ‘historic crossroads,’ the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder emphasized his responsibility as a parliamentarian, vowing to uphold the Constitution with "fidelity, courage, and conscience."

“I do not arrive in Parliament as a mere critic,” he wrote, “but as a committed contributor to the idea of India. Where I must oppose, I will do so with reason; where I must support, I will do so with conviction.”

Haasan underlined centrism as his ideological anchor, describing it as "the art of balance"—a blend of equity and efficiency, liberty and fraternity, tradition and progress. He said centrism isn’t a compromise but a conviction rooted in India’s pluralistic legacy.

Reflecting on the country's freedom movement, Haasan invoked Gandhi’s non-violence, Ambedkar’s constitutionalism, Nehru’s pluralism, Patel’s pragmatism, and Periyar’s rationalism. “It was not a monochrome march, but a magnificent mosaic,” he said, calling for unity in diversity to guide India through its current challenges.

Warning that India stands at a moment “not of comfort, but of consequence,” Haasan pointed to the aspirations of the youth and rising demands for employment, education, and ethical governance. “The cries for equity must not echo unheard in the corridors of power,” he stressed.

The MNM chief promised to be a “clear, compassionate, and committed” voice for Tamil Nadu in the national capital, prioritizing the common good over narrow interests. “I will not speak for one community, but for national growth,” he declared.

Paying tribute to his late father, a freedom fighter, Haasan said he carries forward a legacy built on liberty, justice, and reform. “In my veins flows not just his blood, but his values,” he wrote.

Founded in 2017, MNM emerged as an alternative force in Tamil Nadu politics, with Haasan campaigning on clean politics and development. Though he narrowly lost the Coimbatore South seat in 2021 to BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan, his proposal for monthly financial aid to women was later adopted by the ruling DMK.

In 2024, Haasan aligned with the DMK, calling the partnership “the need of the hour.”

Speaking to NDTV, he concluded: “I know I’ve a lot to do. Something is expected of me. I hope I live up to those expectations. I’ll try my best to be honest, earnest, and speak for Tamil Nadu and India.”