News Tamil Nadu

MNM head actor Kamal Haasan refuses ‘poorna kumbham’ honours offered on behalf of Murugan Temple

December 22, 2020
The Commune

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan who is on a state-wide campaign trail for the upcoming elections refused the ‘poornakumbham’ honours offered by Hindu priests on behalf of a Murugan Temple in Kanchipuram.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) head had visited Kanchipuram district on Monday (December 21). Reportedly, Sivachariyars (Saivite priests) belonging to the Kumarakottam Murugan Temple were arranged by one party cadre to welcome Kamal Haasan with a ‘poornakumbham’. It is to be noted that it was arranged not in front of the temple but in the middle of the road.

When Kamal Haasan arrived, he refused the honours offered by the priests in front of the public and media. In the video that is now getting viral, the priests can be seen trying to offer the ‘poornakumbham’. Another priest can be seen trying to chant the manthra/talk to Kamal Haasan but Kamal joins both his palms in refusal. He also did not allow the Sivachariyars to smear the vibhoodi (sacred ash) and vermilion (kum kum) on his forehead. He later, accepted the shawl out of courtesy.

This has caused stir among people with many calling out the actor for deliberately insulting Hindu traditions and disrespecting the Sivachariyars while some criticized the priests for giving ‘poornakumbam’ to the actor-politician.

According to sources, a member belonging to Kamal Haasan’s party and known to one of the Sivachariyars had approached to make arrangements for welcoming Kamal Haasan. Since, the person was known to the priest, he had obliged to the request. However, they did not expect that the actor-politician would refuse it.

In a similar incident in November, DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin who had gone to Kariyamanikkam Kailasanathar Temple in Trichy district refused the ‘poorna kumbham’ honour arranged by his party cadres.

Kamal Haasan, a self-proclaimed rationalist is well known for his targeted attack on Hindus both on and off screen. In many instances, the actor had openly acknowledged that he is not a Hindu and is a follower of Christ and admired the work of Christian missionaries. His elder brother Chandra Haasan had converted to Christianity and had done many Christian propaganda films that justified forced religious conversion.