Chennai, May 22: Actor and politician Kamal Haasan has issued a message to the citizens of India regarding the ongoing tensions in West Asia, rising oil prices, and the global energy crisis. In a video posted on his ‘X’ account, he emphasized that the current situation is not merely an economic challenge but a time when the entire nation needs to come together and act responsibly.
Haasan urged people to reduce fuel consumption and prioritize national interests over political agendas. He highlighted the impact of the Iran conflict and disruptions in maritime trade on countries like India, which heavily relies on oil and gas imports. The prices of cooking gas, petrol, diesel, fertilizers, and industrial materials are continuously rising.
He noted that many countries have already implemented energy-saving regulations. Citing examples, Haasan mentioned that leaders in countries like Singapore are advising their citizens to prepare for the challenging times ahead. He also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for citizens to conserve electricity and fuel over the next year.
Kamal Haasan stated, “In times of crisis, responsibility towards the nation should outweigh any political differences.” He recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words that governments come and go, but the nation remains. He reminisced about how during the 1962 India-China war, people donated their gold for the country, and in 1965, during a food crisis, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri urged citizens to skip one meal a week.
He remarked that while the current situation does not demand such significant sacrifices, individuals can still contribute by fulfilling small responsibilities. “If previous generations could do so much for the country, can we not make small efforts like saving energy?” he asked.
In his video, Haasan also praised some policies of the central government, noting that India has made rapid progress in solar and wind energy in recent years. He emphasized that reducing dependence on foreign oil and gas is crucial for the country’s economic strength.
He added, “The expectation of sacrifice should not only be from the common people. I urge Prime Minister Modi to convene a national meeting with all Chief Ministers. The central and state governments should work together to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel and lower fares for buses, trains, and metros, encouraging more people to use public transport. Every liter of fuel and every unit of electricity saved today will strengthen the future of India.”
Haasan concluded by stating that if the country unites to face this crisis, India will emerge stronger from this challenging period. In the caption accompanying the video, he wrote, “India has previously overcome wars, shortages, and various crises through unity and collective sacrifice. We need that same national spirit once again.”