Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth is involved in a fresh controversy with fringe Tamil groups in the state opposing his proposed visit to Sri Lanka for a charity event.
Reports said Rajini is set to visit the island country on April 9 to open a Rs 22 crore housing project by the charitable organisation Gnanam Foundation in the northern areas hit by the 26-year-old civil war which ended 2009.
The Lankan army was accused of unleashing atrocities on Tamil civilians in the final stages of the civil war and it is now the subject of an international probe.
Gnanam Foundation was started by Lyca Productions which is also bankrolling Rajinikanth’s upcoming film 2.0 which is scheduled for a Diwali release.
Tamil groups, mostly fringe ones, are against Rajini accepting the hospitality of the Lankan government. “Tamil people from Sri Lanka asked me to convey this message to Rajini because they don’t like his visit at this juncture.
The governments of India and Sri Lanka want to create the impression that they are doing something for the welfare of the Tamils. There is a political motive behind inviting Rajinikanth,” said Thol Thirumalavan, founder of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.
Thirumalavan also said most of the filmstars, including Rajinikanth, have never spoken out against the attacks on Indian Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. “It is clear that Rajini is not ready to comment on fishermen’s issues. He is only concentrating on his business and films .
In March, an Indian fisherman was shot dead allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy. The government of Tamil Nadu has also raised the issue of eight Indian fishermen being arrested by the Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in their territory.
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