Kamal Haasan hits out at Tamil Nadu govt for misusing agricultural lands

Makkal Neethi Maiyam party president Kamal Haasan Friday hit out at the Tamil Nadu government for allegedly converting agricultural lands for other purposes and said it has caused "distress" to farmers. 

While Odisha and Telangana are allocating land for agriculture, Tamil Nadu is doing just the opposite, the actor-politician said. Haasan was taking questions from students at a private engineering college here. 

Asked about remedies for farmer suicides, Haasan said "like air is for survival, the land is essential for a farmer. Destroying agriculture under the garb of creating jobs cannot be justified. Telangana (government) has allocated 20 lakh hectares for agriculture, while Odisha has set aside 10 lakh hectares," he said. 

"Tamil Nadu and some other states are doing the opposite which is causing distress to farmers and resulting in suicides," he added. Haasan has opposed the Rs 10,000-crore Chennai-Salem expressway that seeks to acquire over 500 acres including farmlands, saying such projects should not be "forced" on people. 

On the simmering #Metoo campaign, Hassan appealed to everyone to encourage the movement, that has seen women opening up to reveal their bitter experiences.

"Some people are questioning women opening up after several years. Irrespective of when it is said, let those bold voices raise. Do not mock them," he said. 

Haasan has been touring various colleges across the state which, he claimed, is a campaign for drawing youths into politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)