Backing note ban was a mistake: Kamal Haasan
CHENNAI: Almost a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes, actor and aspiring political leader Kamal Haasan said that his decision to initially support demonetisation was a mistake and hoped that the PM also admitted the flaws of the move.
Admission of a mistake is the hallmark of statesmen, Haasan said in an article in Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, in which he said he was apologising to people for supporting note ban.
The actor, who has announced plans to enter politics, was among the early supporters of demonetisation. He had then tweeted his support and asked parties across the political spectrum to welcome the move.
“Salute Mr Modi. This move has to be celebrated across political party lines. Most importantly by earnest tax payers,” the actor had said in a tweet.
But now, a few days short of the demonetisation anniversary, Haasan said he made a mistake by “hastily supporting the decision” and came out with a statement that he would again salute Prime Minister Modi if he accepted demonetisation was a mistake.
In the article, Haasan said Modi would be a great leader if he accepted his mistake rather than being stubborn.
On why he supported the move initially, Haasan said “I thought people should bear with minor irritants in the goal to eradicate black money.” But now, there are voices saying that demonetisation was a deception and government response on this was weak, he said.