In 2008 , Rajinikanth took part in a hunger strike organised by the Nadigar Sangam against Karnataka 's stance on the Hogenakkal Falls water dispute . In his speech , which was well received in Tamil Nadu , he warned leaders not to inflame the water project issue for political gains and requested that the issue should be resolved soon . He reprimanded politicians in Karnataka and urged them " to speak the truth " to the public . " They can not be fooled and will not remain silent if you continue to act in such manner " he stated . The speech led to Vatal Nagaraj , leader of the Kannada nationalist group Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha , demanding an apology from Rajinikanth and threatening that he and his films would be boycotted from the state of Karnataka . The threats were echoed by other pro-Kannada organisations , such as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike . He later thanked the Kannada film industry for allowing the release of '' Kuselan '' and lifting the ban the industry had briefly imposed on it . This led to strong reactions from Nadigar Sangam members R. Sarathkumar , Sathyaraj and Radha Ravi , who called the apology a disgrace to Tamils and opined that his speech never provoked the sentiments of the Kannada people . Rajinikanth 's support toward fellow actor Ajith Kumar , who in 2010 condemned the forceful inclusion of Tamil cinema personae in political affairs , broke into a controversy . In 2018 , Rajinikanth received negative criticism and reactions after justifying police action during the Thoothukudi massacre . He said " anti-social elements " in the crowd had to be " dealt with an iron hand "
Thoothukudi massacre
Thoothukudi massacre
Rajinikanth