R. Parthiban Takes Legal Step to Remove Caste Identity After Speech Controversy
Tamil actor and director R. Parthiban has made a significant personal announcement, revealing that he has applied for an official no-caste, no-religion certificate. This decision comes in the wake of a major controversy sparked by his recent speech at the 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' event, where his comments about caste drew widespread criticism and backlash on social media platforms.
Social Media Backlash Leaves Parthiban Emotionally Devastated
In a heartfelt YouTube video announcement, Parthiban shared how deeply the public reaction affected him emotionally. "Even after my father's death or my films facing huge losses, I never felt this broken," he revealed, emphasizing that the social media storm over the past few days had impacted him more profoundly than any personal or professional setback in his life.
The veteran filmmaker explained that he respects society and public opinion greatly, which made the criticism particularly painful. He made it clear that he has never taken pride in his caste identity, stating emphatically, "I have always disliked caste and never felt proud about my birth."
Explaining the Controversial Remarks as a Slip of Tongue
Parthiban provided context for the incident that triggered the controversy, explaining that he was speaking in Telugu at the event despite being more comfortable in Tamil. "I was tense speaking in Telugu in front of important people," he admitted, describing the nervousness that led to his verbal mistake.
According to his explanation, someone backstage had mentioned a community name before his speech, and that word remained in his subconscious. "Instead of saying Telugu, that word came out unknowingly," he clarified, stressing that it was purely a mistake caused by tension rather than reflecting his actual beliefs. He added that if he truly believed in caste pride, he wouldn't have been so disturbed by the aftermath.
Legal Process to Officially Remove Caste and Religion Identity
Determined to prove his stance against caste discrimination, R. Parthiban has taken concrete legal steps. He has submitted an official affidavit declaring that he does not belong to any caste or religion and will not claim any benefits associated with such identities. "Saying I have no caste is my real pride," he asserted in his video message.
The actor-director is now awaiting government approval for his application and hopes to become one of the first individuals in the Indian film industry to officially obtain such a certificate. He described this decision as "a meaningful step in his life" that aligns with his long-standing personal philosophy against caste-based identities.
Background of the Controversy and Public Reaction
The controversy began when Parthiban's speech at the 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' event circulated on social media, with many users criticizing his choice of words regarding caste. Following the initial backlash, he issued a public apology, clarifying that he spoke those words by mistake and had no wrong intentions behind them.
However, the issue continued to affect him deeply, ultimately pushing him to take this strong personal stand through legal means. His decision to seek a no-caste, no-religion certificate represents both a personal statement and a potential precedent in the entertainment industry's ongoing discussions about social identity and equality.
