Veteran film icon Kamal Haasan made his Rajya Sabha debut with a passionate oratory that resonated through the Upper House. On February 4, the Tamil Nadu MP wove personal history with pressing national issues, from voter disenfranchisement to federalism and cultural identity.
‘From cinema halls to this august house,’ Haasan reflected, tracing his journey from a small-town boy in Paramakudi to a voice for the diverse regions represented in Rajya Sabha. His speech, layered with emotion and intellect, critiqued systemic flaws threatening democratic integrity.
Central to his concerns: flawed voter registries turning live citizens into ‘paper ghosts.’ Citing Bihar’s dire situation, Bengal’s court fights, and Tamil Nadu’s vulnerabilities, he decried how typos eviscerate fundamental voting rights. ‘Democracy doesn’t belong to rulers—it’s the people’s domain,’ he proclaimed, stressing power’s transience.
Haasan called out governments’ mortality, noting the watchful eyes of younger generations. He demanded swift rectification, positioning his words as ideological friction, not assault.
Reflecting on life’s lessons, he highlighted the gap between constitutional federal ideals and on-ground federalism. Honoring CN Annadurai’s tutelage in language and rights defense, Haasan admitted quivering under ideological burdens, not performance nerves.
Guided by Gandhi, Periyar, and Annadurai, he advocated logic sans fury. Expressing gratitude to CM Stalin and coalition partners, he wrapped up in Tamil, blending cinema charisma with senatorial gravitas in a memorable first.
