Actor-turned politician founder Kamal Haasan and three others took oath as Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu on Friday (25 July 2025), all backed by the DMK and its allies.
Former additional advocate general and incumbent MP P. Wilson, poet-writer Rajathi alias Salma and the party’s Salem-based leader S.R. Sivalingam were the other three DMK members, all of whom took oath in Tamil.
Their entry to the Rajya Sabha follows the retirement of six members from Tamil Nadu on 24 July, including Pattali Makkal Katchi's Anbumani Ramadoss and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam top leader Vaiko. The DMK was in a position to win four seats.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Haasan said, “I am very proud and honoured. I am honoured to begin with. I know I've a lot to do… I hope I live up to those expectations. I'll try my best to be honest, earnest and speak for Tamil Nadu and India."
He also released an open letter laying out his vision for the country, underscoring the need for centrism, ethical governance, diversity and national unity at a time the nation was at a "historic crossroads".
In it, Haasan describes his entry into Parliament not as a formality, but as a solemn promise to uphold the Constitution with "fidelity, courage, and conscience".
He writes, "I do not arrive in Parliament as a mere critic, but as a committed contributor to the idea of India. Where I must oppose, I will do so with reason. Where I must support, I will do so with conviction. And where I must advise, I will do so constructively — not to score points, but to build consensus."
Rajya Sabha polls: Kamal Haasan files nomination papersHe continues, with gratitude for his freedom-fighter father and acknowledging India's "magnificent" legacy: Gandhiji's non-violence, Ambedkar's constitutionalism, Nehru's pluralism, Patel's pragmatism, and Periyar's rationalism.
Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in Madurai in 2017 with a focus on clean alternative politics and development. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party garnered around 4 per cent of the vote share across Tamil Nadu. In the 2021 assembly polls, he narrowly lost to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore South.
As part of an electoral pact, the MNM did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and instead campaigned for the DMK-led INDIA bloc in the state. In return, the DMK had promised a Rajya Sabha seat for the party.
Earlier, in June, the actor was embroiled in a language controversy following a statement by him on the Kannada language while he was on a promotional tour on his film Thug Life. His statement “Tamil gave birth to Kannada” had angered pro-Kannada groups, who demanded an apology.
Angry fans on social media threatened to boycott the movie, which was later released following an intervention by the Supreme Court directing the Karnataka government to ensure the film's screening. The apex court also criticised the High Court for asking Haasan to apologise.
Ensure release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life', Supreme Court tells Karnataka
