TAMIL FILM ACTORS TO GO ON HUNGER STRIKE IN CHENNAI

N.THYAGARAJAN

More than 200 actors belonging to the Tamil film industry, members and staff of the South Indian Film Artistes Association, Film Directors Union, members of the various film federations numbering more than 10,000 will observe one day fast near the Chennai Chepauk Stadium, from where more than a lakh of persons enjoyed the 20-20 Cricket Match between India and South Africa was played last week.

The main aim of organising the fasting is due to the Kannadigas attack on the innocent Tamils living in Bangalore and other parts of the Karnataka state in protest against the Hognekal Project. The Kannadigas who could not treat the Hognekalk Project officially have indulged in the activities of attacking the Tamils living there. Besides, the fanatic Kannadigas started attacking the cinema theaters which screened Tamil films. The cable operators in Karnataka have stopped telecasting the Tamil channels too. It is said, that though the Karnataka government had given promise that the Tamils would be protected, the attack of Kannadigas on the Tamils settled their continue.

In the Chennai-fast besides the participation of the Tamil film industry workers, some of the college unions have also given their consent to support the fast at the Chennai Chepauk near the Government House.

Super Star Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan and many other leading actors and actresses are cancelling their Friday shootings and joining the fast. Similarly, actors and actresses who are in the busy schedules in other states and countries have also explicitly stated that they too would participate in the fast. Hence, the shooting outside the Tamil Nadu and India have been cancelled.

A big stage was erected for the people who observe fast. Police permission have been obtained to organise the one-day-fast.

The South Indian Film Actors Union will be taking vigorous steps against the actors who boycott the Chennai-fast and making absence without getting prior permission. Though the Super Star Rajnikanth, Action King Arjun belonged to the Karnataka State had given their consents to participate in the fast without forseeing the repercussions that they will have to face with their own Kannadigas.

It is likely the fastings will be started from 9 AM and will end around 6 PM.