Kamal Haasan Takes Oath as Rajya Sabha MP in Tamil, Marks Entry into Parliament with National Duty Pledge

New Delhi: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan officially entered India’s upper house of Parliament on Friday, taking oath as a Rajya Sabha Member in his native Tamil language. The founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Haasan was elected unopposed last month with the backing of the ruling DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, Haasan struck a humble tone. “I am here to fulfil my responsibility as an Indian. This is not about position or power, but duty,” he said. Dressed in traditional attire, Haasan was seen greeting fellow MPs and taking his seat with composure and dignity as the oath was administered.

His entry into the Rajya Sabha comes after years of political evolution. Haasan launched MNM in 2018 as a centrist and reform-oriented alternative to the Dravidian political giants — DMK and AIADMK. The party, though popular in urban pockets, failed to secure significant electoral victories in the 2019 and 2021 polls.

MNM joined hands with the DMK-Congress alliance. The move was seen as Haasan’s acknowledgment of coalition politics and the need to align with ideologically similar forces for broader national impact.

Following the alliance’s strong performance in the general elections, the DMK offered Haasan a choice — contest a Lok Sabha seat in a bypoll or enter the Rajya Sabha. He opted for the Upper House, citing the opportunity to contribute on national issues through constructive debate.