Kamal asks fans not to celebrate b'day, on Lankan issue

Chennai, Nov 5 (UNI) Deeply hurt by the alleged killings of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka, popular Tamil Film Actor Kamal Haasan today appealed to his fans not to celebrate his birthday which flls on November 7.

In a statement here, he said, ''if my birthday can be used as a tiny fulcrum to leverage public opinion against this genocide, I would be proud of my birth.

''I beseech my fans to refrain from celebrations. An individual's birthday loses credence or importance when genocide is being practised in our neighbouring nation with renewed vigour,'' he said in an emotive appeal to his fans.

''Human civilisation is only 10,000 years old. It is not a job completed but work in progress. Wars around the world are clear indications of this fact,'' he added.

Kamal said ''language, colour, creed and caste can no more be used as excuses for intolerance.'' Urging his fans to redirect their energy and enthusiasm towards human compassion on the occasion of his birthday, he said ''many are dying for a reason so unbelievably simple. They speak the same language -- Tamil -- as I do.

Observing he was not qualified enough to offer solutions to the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis, he said ''nevertheless, I am sensible enough to refrain and restrain you from celebrations when our neighbours are helpless spectators to genocide and mass funerals.'' UNI GV GM SLD RN1807