Tamil Nadu based Hindu Makkal Katchi has invited controversy over its shocking announcement of a cash prize for whoever kicks actor Vijay Sethupathi. The Hindutva outfit has found a talking point through what has been alleged as an insult meted out by the actor to Muthuramalinga Thevar, a patriarch of the Thevar community. The announcement of rewarding Rs 1,001 for whoever kicks the actor has come days after Vijay Sethupathi was attacked at Kempagowda International Airport in Bengaluru. 

The development reveals that the attack and the reward announcement have a connection and the outfit has also demanded the actor to issue an apology for insulting a prominent figure in the state. The official Twitter account of Hindu Makkal Katchi said, "Arjun Sampath (the chief of the outfit) announces cash award, for kicking actor Vijay Sethupathi for insulting Thevar Ayya. 1 kick = Rs 1,001/- for anyone who kicks him until he apologises." 

The announcement had stirred outrage from the fans of the actor and the rival factions of the outfit with several people had extended solidarity to the actor and slammed the outfit for cooking politics in the matter. Last week, a day ahead of Diwali, a man, named Maha Gandhi, had tried to attack the actor and his team at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. A shocking video from the scene was rampantly spread on social media in which Vijay Sethupathi had stunned to face such an incident that came from nowhere. 

In the visual, it can be seen Vijay Sethupathi was being escorted out of the airport premises by his team and the airport's security personnel and when the actor was nearing the exit, a man runs from behind and tries to kick the actor. However, his attack plot was busted by the security officials even as Vijay Sethupathi was shocked to have someone attacking him from behind. Initially, it was reported that the attacker was under the influence of alcohol and he asked for a picture from the actor. He attacked the actor when he denied his request. 

After stopping him, the man was detained at the airport for questioning and in a series of interviews after the event, the man, identified as Maha Gandhi, has claimed that he was a co-passenger on the flight and he wanted to wish Vijay Sethupathi for receiving the national award. However, Gandhi said that the actor responded with a remark 'Is this a nation?. Maha Gandhi went on to claim that since Vijay Sethupathi is a native of south Tamil Nadu, he asked him whether he took part in the Thevar Guru Puja held on the birth anniversary of Muthuramalinga Thevar. 

Maha Gandhi alleged that responding to his question, Vijay Sethupathi said that only Thevan (God) in the world is Jesus. Maha Gandhi further alleged that after getting off the flight and collecting his luggage, he was hit by two people and he tried to attack Vijay Sethupathi in retaliation. According to reports, Hindu Makkal Katchi has announced a cash reward for kicking Vijay Sethupathi based on the claim made by Maha Gandhi that the actor had insulted Muthuramalinga Thevar. 

Speaking to a news agency, Arjun Sampath has confirmed that his party has made the reward announcement. He said that he spoke to Maha Gandhi during which he said that the actor had insulted Pasumpon (Thevar) and the nation. The right-wing leader, who is one of the controversial figures in Tamil Nadu, has said that he has decided to announce a cash reward for whoever kicking Vijay Sethupathi after speaking with Maha Gandhi. Arjun Sampath had demanded the actor to issue an apology. On the other hand, the actor is yet to respond to the allegations and earlier said that the attack at the airport was due to a minor altercation. 

Arjun Sampath announces cash award, for kicking actor Vijay Sethupathi for insulting Thevar Ayya.

1 kick = Rs.1001/- for any one who kicks him, until he apologises. pic.twitter.com/Fogf7D9V7S

— Indu Makkal Katchi (Offl) 🇮🇳 (@Indumakalktchi) November 7, 2021