Row Erupts Over Kamal Haasan’s Remarks Comparing Sekar Babu to Chola Emperor

Chennai, April 2026 : A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after actor-politician Kamal Haasan reportedly compared the temple renovation efforts of state minister Sekar Babu with those of the legendary Chola ruler Raja Raja Chola I during an election campaign in Chennai Harbour.

Haasan, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, is said to have remarked that Sekar Babu had overseen more kumbabhishekam (temple consecration ceremonies) than Raja Raja Chola. The statement quickly drew sharp criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed the comparison inappropriate and disrespectful.

Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad strongly condemned the remark, calling it “deeply regrettable” and an “insult to the legacy of one of the greatest Tamil rulers in history.” In a strongly worded statement, he demanded that Haasan immediately withdraw his comments and issue a public apology.

Prasad emphasized that Raja Raja Chola’s contributions to Tamil civilisation, governance, and temple architecture remain unparalleled and should not be trivialised for political purposes. He highlighted that the Chola emperor built the iconic Brihadeeswara Temple, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. He also noted the ruler’s role in expanding the Chola empire across Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia, as well as establishing administrative systems and temple endowments that shaped structured religious practices.

The BJP leader further used the opportunity to criticise the ruling DMK government and Sekar Babu, alleging mismanagement within the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. He claimed that several temples across the state were struggling to conduct even basic rituals and accused the administration of irregularities, though no specific evidence was provided.

Prasad also took aim at Haasan’s political alignment, suggesting that his remarks were influenced by his association with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. He urged the actor-politician to “introspect and understand the seriousness of his statement.”

Calling for corrective action, Prasad said Haasan should visit the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur and pay tribute to Raja Raja Chola as a mark of respect. He warned that failure to apologise could hurt public sentiment, particularly among those who hold the Chola legacy in high regard.

The controversy comes at a time of intense political campaigning ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where historical and cultural icons are increasingly being invoked in political discourse. Haasan’s remarks have added another layer to the heated rhetoric, highlighting how sensitive such comparisons can be in a state with a rich cultural and historical heritage.