Kamal Haasan’s Bold Stance on Sanatan, NEET!

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan sparked controversy on Sunday, declaring education as the sole weapon to dismantle “the chains of autocracy and Sanatan Dharma.” Speaking at the 15th anniversary of actor Suriya’s Agaram Foundation in Chennai, Haasan emphasized education’s transformative power while criticizing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for barring underprivileged students from medical education since its introduction in 2017.

“NEET has crushed the dreams of countless children from marginalized backgrounds,” Haasan said, noting that even initiatives like Agaram, which supports thousands of underprivileged students in Tamil Nadu, are constrained by legal barriers. “To change such laws, we need strength, and that strength comes only from education,” he asserted, urging against other means of resistance. “Do not take anything else in your hands; the majority fools will defeat you, but knowledge will prevail.”

Haasan’s remarks echo Tamil Nadu’s ongoing opposition to NEET, with Chief Minister MK Stalin recently assuring Haasan that steps are being taken to ease NGO restrictions. The comments also reignited a debate sparked by Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s 2023 call to “eradicate” Sanatan Dharma, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, who accused Haasan of dividing people on religious lines.

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Praising Agaram’s work, Haasan contrasted cinematic fame with social service, stating, “In cinema, we wear crowns of glory; in social work, we bear crowns of thorns.” He reiterated that true leadership lies in selfless impact, not enduring power.

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