December 7, 2017
Tamil actor Vishal Krishna can't get over the shock of
his nomination papers for the bypolls in Chennai being rejected.
Shuddering in disbelief and disgust, the intrepid actor who has now decided to
take a headlong plunge into politics says: "What we are witnessing is the
systematic and effectual death of democracy in our country. Every democratic
norm is being reduced to a mockery."
Vishal, it must be recalled, had
stood up to support his friend superstar Vijay when the latter's film "Mersal"
was attacked by certain sections of the Bharatiya Janata Party supporters.
"That is when I decided more of us from the entertainment industry need to
jump into the cesspool rather than making noises about the filth from the
sidelines," says Vishal, probably referring to Kamal Haasan who after his hefty
hullabaloo over political corruption in Tamil Nadu has taken a "thoughtful
break" from his initiation into politicization.
"We can't afford to pull
back and wait for change in the political system. We have to be the change.
That's why I decided to contest the bypoll from Radhakrishnan Nagar where there
is neither a councillor nor a ward since the last elections.
"The civic
infrastructure stinks. If we don't take charge of the politics at the municipal
level how can we even begin the process of cleaning up the political mess in
Tamil Nadu?" wonders Vishal.
To his shock his election papers were
rejected.
"An entire soap opera was played out on Tuesday. First my
papers were rejected on the absurd ground that two of the signatures were
forged. I thought this was the height of absurdity. But then it got even more
ludicrous. I was told it's okay and that my nomination has been accepted, then
again I was told my nomination was rejected."
Vishal says the seesaw
between yes and no would have been highly flattering if it was not so scary.
"The fact that I am seen as such a threat to the status quo is very flattering.
However, the seeming attempts to sabotage my tentative foray into active
politics also indicates a subversion of all democratic norms. And that's
frightening."
The actor last seen playing Mohanlal's adversary in the
Malayalam crime thriller "Villain" sees democratic norms being flouted all
around.
"We are going through the most difficult phase in Indian
democracy, and not only in Tamil Nadu. If people like me who have nothing to
gain except a retrieval of democratic values, don't come forward now, then we
are doomed."
Vishal is not scared of his film career being affected by
his politics. "If you mean the forces that tried to sabotage my nominations
would obstruct my career, I don't think they would be able to.
"They
would be foolish to try. If you mean I'd be able to devote less time to my film
career if I take to active politics, then that's a compromise I am willing to
make."