Stated historic truth: Kamal on Godse remarks

Under attack for his remarks that Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse was the first terrorist in independent India by pointing to his Hindu religion, actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday appeared to defend himself by saying that he only reiterated a "historic truth".

Also, the actor put the blame on media for "twisting his statement" and not playing his speech in full. He even suggested that media houses that played his speech should also be booked under the same charges on which a case has been filed against him.

Addressing a campaign meeting in Thiruparankundram in Madurai after a gap of two days, Kamal said that he would never hurt the sentiments of Hindus as most of his family members are active followers of the faith.

"What I said about Nathuram Godse in Aravakurichi is nothing but historical truth. My statement was not played in full. It was played in parts and the media should also face the case like me because they played it 200 times. But I said only once," Kamal said.

The actor explained that he was only making the point that all can coexist in India despite terrorism which is on "both sides".

On Sunday, Kamal had courted controversy for his comments that independent India's first terrorist was a Hindu and his name is Nathuram Godse.

Aravakurichi police had on Tuesday filed a case against Kamal for trying to incite violence between two communities. In his speech on Wednesday, Kamal said that though he is an atheist, his family members are devout Hindus.

"My children go to temple and they practice the religion. My sister and her husband go to temples. How can I target Hindus. As a politician, can I afford to court only one community? I can't," he said.