A lotus has bloomed in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu — but only time will tell its political hue. Tamil maverick Kamal Haasan, whose name in Sanskrit roughly translates into “smiling lotus”, is the latest entrant to the political battleground from the world of films.
With the launch of his People’s Justice Centre, Haasan seems intent to script a success in his political career after savouring five glorious decades in Indian cinema. His party symbol comprises six hands, representing the six states of south India. He has astutely dubbed himself “an agent of change” and vowed that there will be no permanent chief minister from the party if it comes to power. Instead, it will seek to provide governance without corruption, will not pander to divisive identity politics on the basis of religion and castes, and adopt a centrist approach. He has categorically rejected any prospect of aligning with India’s right-wing and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose party symbol is the saffron lotus. Unlike traditional rivals such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Haasan has steered clear of any Dravidian identity for his fledgling party.
His soundbites tick just the right boxes for an electorate starved of meaningful political discourse. Indeed, Haasan and Tamil film legend Rajinikanth’s recent political forays are an indicator of the moribund state of politics in India — where the common man yearns for clean and honest politicians, inclusive growth and peaceful coexistence. While Indian film stars foraying into politics is nothing new, the scam-ridden political and social climate of the country does provide impetus to their transition.
But merely harbouring good intentions is not enough.
The true test of Haasan’s promises lies in translating them into progressive policies and acting as a catalyst for change. Otherwise, the idea of clean alternate politics will remain — as it does now — a footnote in the complex script of Indian realpolitik.
