‘Must rise above party politics’: Kamal Haasan calls for national summit to tackle energy crisis

Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan has urged PM Narendra Modi to convene a national summit to address the emerging energy crisis caused by global geopolitical conflicts.

Makkal Needhi Maiam president Haasan on Friday urged PM Narendra Modi to convene a national summit of all chief ministers to address the emerging energy crisis caused by global geopolitical conflicts.

In a video statement shared on his official X account, the actor-politician said the impact of international conflicts-ranging from rising crude oil prices to disrupted sea trade routes-was directly affecting citizens by increasing the cost of essential commodities, domestic energy, and agricultural inputs such as fertilisers.

''In moments of national crisis, our response must rise above party politics,'' Haasan said, invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's words: ''Governments will come and go, but the nation shall remain.''.

To mitigate the immediate economic burden on citizens, the actor-politician proposed a dual-action plan requiring coordinated efforts between the Centre and state governments.

His proposals include a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) levied by state governments on petrol and diesel to lower fuel prices, and a cut in fares for trains, metros, and public buses to encourage citizens to shift away from private vehicles and conserve fuel.

While acknowledging India's progress in expanding solar and wind energy capacity, as well as recent investments in coal gasification and nuclear power over the past decade, Haasan said the burden of adjustment should not fall solely on the public.

''Sacrifice cannot be expected only from citizens; governments too must share the burden,'' he said.

He also recalled India's historical resilience, citing how citizens donated gold during the 1962 war with China and skipped meals during the 1965 food crisis following an appeal by then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

However, he noted that present-day India does not require such extreme sacrifices if policy measures are implemented effectively.

Haasan added that global geopolitics affect ''pedestrians on the street as much as the high-flying rich,'' and said that if the nation faces the crisis collectively, India would emerge stronger.