Mumbai: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Friday said the vandalism of Dravidian icon Periyar's statue in Tamil Nadu was to divert attention from pressing issues like Cauvery water sharing dispute with Karnataka.

At the IndiaToday Conclave 2018, Haasan, said he was not anti-BJP but anti everything, including extremism, that brings people hardships. "I am anti everything that goes wrong for the people. As for extremism, Hindu extremism exists, read the Tamil papers," he said.

He said the vandalism of Periyar's statue in Vellore was also an act of extremism and "a diversionary tactic to take people's attention away from more pressing issues such as sharing Cauvery water".

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.

He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.

Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.

The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.

Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.

The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.

In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.

He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.

The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.

Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.