Rajinikanth declares that he is a Tamil, hits out at critics

Chennai: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on May 19 countered crticis in the social media who questioned his credentials to enter politics on the
ground that he was not a Tamil, and maintained that he was very much a Tamil, and was determined to help the Tamils. "I am a
pachai Tamizhan", he declared.  

Speaking to his fans on the concluding day of his interaction with various fans associations, Rajinikanth said he was 67. He had spent
only 23 years in Karnataka but 44 years in Tamil Nadu. People of Tamil Nadu had showered him with affection, fame and money, and
he thought it was his duty to ensure that the people of Tamil Nadu were happy.

Stating that the people were unhappy, he said he was see to kind of language used against him by some people in the social media.

He recalled an incident in which Buddha was abused by some people. After they left the place, his disciples asked him why he did
not refute the criticism. Buddha said he had not accepted the abuse, and it was taken away by the people when they left the place.

Rajinikanth said he was not worried over the dissent against him. Dissent was the most important tool in politics, he said, adding that
he was not worried over criticism of his views.  

If he was thrown out of Tamil Nadu, he would not go to any other State but would spend his time in the Himalayas, Rajinikanth said.

A few years ago, when Rajinikanth's status was questioned, Rajinikanth had said that all those who spoke Tamil were Tamilians.