Chennai: Popular Kollywood actor Suriya Sivakumar expressed his displeasure in the Centre’s Draft National Education Policy (NEP) during a function. The comments have drawn mixed reactions in Tamil Nadu, with politicos slamming him. However, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan has extended his support to him.

During a function, Tamil actor Suriya asked, “The new education policy decides the future of 30 crore students across the country, I’m anguished that no one has come forward to talk about this. The focus is much on entrance exams but not on quality and equal education to all the students. Without giving an equal education, how do you expect quality from students?”

He further went on to say that he represented all the students and their parents who are unaware of the disadvantages of the new policy.

Suriya’s statements were not received well with state political leaders. Tamil Nadu information and publicity minister Kadambur C Raju said Suriya doesn’t know anything about the educational policy and called the actor “half-baked”.

BJP leader H Raja said Suriya’s remark about the education policy was an open invitation to violence while Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan said the actor’s “anti-government” statements showcased his political ambition.

Kamal put out a tweet expressing support to Suriya. He further stated that Suriya and his family were closely working with children and their education, which gives him the right to speak about such topics.

Suriya and family run the Agaram Foundation which provides free education to those who are not so privileged to afford it.

Agaram’s vision is to bring about a significant positive change in the socio-economic status of the rural society by offering quality education to the deserving individual.