Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan has made an emotional appeal to citizens, asking them to put national interest above political differences as global tensions continue to impact energy prices and economies worldwide.
Amid rising instability in the Middle East, increasing crude oil prices in international markets, and concerns over a deepening global energy crisis, the Makkal Needhi Maiam chief shared a video message on his official X account, calling for unity, responsibility, and fuel conservation.
In his message, Kamal Haasan emphasized that the current situation is not merely an economic challenge but a moment that demands collective national responsibility from every Indian citizen.
“This Is the Time to Think About the Nation”
Speaking about the ongoing geopolitical tensions and their economic impact, Kamal Haasan said the world is witnessing rapidly changing global equations that are affecting every country, including India.
He pointed out that disruptions linked to the Iran conflict and disturbances in global maritime trade routes are directly influencing fuel prices and energy supplies across the world.
According to him, India remains heavily dependent on imported mineral oil and natural gas, making the country vulnerable to rising international energy costs.
He explained that the increasing prices of LPG cylinders, petrol, diesel, fertilizers, and industrial raw materials are already placing pressure on households and businesses alike.
Kamal Haasan stressed that citizens should understand the seriousness of the situation and contribute through small but meaningful efforts like reducing unnecessary fuel and electricity usage.
Appeal to Reduce Fuel Consumption
In his video statement, the actor-politician urged people to consciously cut down on fuel consumption and avoid wasteful energy usage.
He highlighted that many countries have already introduced strict energy-saving regulations to deal with the ongoing crisis. Referring to nations like Singapore, he said leaders across the world are preparing their citizens mentally for difficult times ahead.
Kamal Haasan also referred to an earlier appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which citizens were encouraged to save electricity and fuel over the coming year.
According to him, individual efforts may appear small, but when adopted collectively by millions of citizens, they can create a significant national impact.
Invokes Vajpayee and Lal Bahadur Shastri
During his emotional appeal, Kamal Haasan recalled examples from India’s political history to underline the importance of unity during times of national crisis.
He quoted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who once famously said in Parliament:
“Governments will come and go, political parties will rise and fall, but the nation must survive.”
Kamal Haasan said national responsibility should always rise above political disagreements, especially during challenging times.
He also remembered the sacrifices made by citizens during the 1962 India-China war, when many families reportedly donated gold for the country.
Similarly, he referred to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and the 1965 food crisis, when citizens were asked to voluntarily skip one meal a week to help the nation deal with shortages.
According to Kamal Haasan, India today is not demanding sacrifices of that scale, but citizens can still contribute meaningfully by saving fuel, reducing power consumption, and adopting responsible habits.
He questioned whether modern generations could not make small adjustments when earlier generations had made much larger sacrifices for the nation.
Praises India’s Renewable Energy Push
The actor also praised the central government’s efforts in expanding renewable energy infrastructure.
He said India’s progress in solar and wind energy over the past few years deserves appreciation and could play a key role in reducing future dependence on imported fuel.
India has significantly increased investments in clean energy projects, and Kamal Haasan suggested that strengthening renewable energy adoption would help improve long-term energy security.
Special Request to PM Modi and State Governments
Kamal Haasan also offered suggestions to policymakers, stating that the responsibility of handling the crisis should not fall only on ordinary citizens.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a national meeting with all state chief ministers to discuss coordinated solutions for managing rising fuel costs and energy challenges.
The MNM leader proposed that both central and state governments should jointly consider reducing taxes on petrol and diesel to provide relief to citizens.
Additionally, he suggested lowering fares for public transportation systems such as buses, trains, and metro services so that more people would prefer public transport over private vehicles.
According to him, encouraging public transportation can help reduce fuel consumption at a national level.
“Every Unit of Energy Saved Matters”
Concluding his message, Kamal Haasan said that every litre of fuel and every unit of electricity saved today would help strengthen India’s future.
He emphasized that responsible energy usage is no longer just a personal habit but a national duty during uncertain global conditions.
As global markets continue reacting to geopolitical instability and rising energy prices, his appeal has sparked discussions about public responsibility, fuel conservation, and the importance of collective action during economic challenges.
