News Tamil Nadu

“Aishwarya Didn’t Say Sanghi Is A Bad Word”, Rajinikanth Defends Daughter Saying She Only Meant To Say He Loves All Religions

January 29, 2024
The Commune

The audio launch event of Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s third directorial venture, “Lal Salaam,” was held on 26 January 2024 where she addressed the speculation of personal attacks about her father stating that ‘Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi, if he were, he wouldn’t have acted in the movie “Lal Salaam.”

Despite this clarification, the term “Sanghi” continues to linger, leading to criticism and support for Aishwarya and her father, with many accusing Rajinikanth of hypocrisy. There were mixed responses among netizens.

One netizen commented ‘Yes he is not Sanghi. He is more than that‘ and he emphasized this by sharing a picture that suggests he is from a different state. 

Another netizen posted a video of Rajinikanth’s visit to the residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on August 2023. In the video, Rajinikanth respectfully bowed and touched Yogi Adityanath’s feet, but this gesture sparked criticism and ridicule.

 Another user asked ‘Does Sanghi mean a bad word?’ (derogatory)

Another internet user claimed, “Thanks for confirming that the term ‘sanghi’ is considered derogatory.“

 Another netizen expressed that ‘He is sanghi. Do not say anything to promote the film’

 

Following this, actor Rajinikanth, who was at Chennai airport en route to Vijayawada, was questioned by the media who wanted to clarify their doubts. Rajinikanth dismissed the notion asserting that this statment was not a promotional tactic for the Lal Salaam film.

The reporters questioned Rajinikanth saying his daughter asked everyone not to refer her father as a “Sanghi”. Rajinikanth replied, “Aishwarya did not mention Sanghi as a derogatory term anywhere, her view is why everyone is referring to him like that when Dad is a spiritualist and loves all religions.”.  Rajinikanth also mentioned that the movie Lal Salaam was based on religious harmony.

Sanghi is a term referring to a devout Hindu, a subscriber of Hindutva ideology, a support of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and everything in that spectrum. However, it is used by leftists, Islamists and Dravidianists to derogate their ideological and political opponents.

It can be inferred from Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s statement that the term ‘Sanghi’ was used pejoratively with a negative connotation. She had said that “only a person with humanity would do Lal Salaam” implies that “Sanghis” lack humanity.

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