Both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have taken on the AIADMK government on various issues
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Government not responding to protests, tweets Rajinikanth
Kamal Haasan said on Friday he will visit the protesters on Sunday
Thousands have been protesting against the plant in Tuticorin
"One can't understand why the government, which gave the nod for the plant, is not taking any action and is just watching," the 67-year-old said in a tweet in Tamil.
Thousands of residents of A Kumarareddiyapuram village near the Sterlite unit have been protesting demanding the closure of the copper smelting plant. Alleging pollution of air, water and soil, the protesters say the plant should not be allowed to expand its operations. A leading copper producer, Sterlite Copper represents the copper unit of Vedanta Limited, which operates a 400,000 tonnes per annum plant. The unit has been closed for a fortnight from March 29 for taking up maintenance work.
Mr Rajinikanth's support comes a day after the other big star in the south, Kamal Haasan, who has also recently made his entry into politics, said he would join the protesters on Sunday against the expansion of the plant.
"On Sunday I'm joining those protesters in Tuticorin. Sterlite copper plant should not become another Bhopal... Sterlite plant has to be closed, at least not to be expanded," Mr Haasan had said while addressing a press conference on Friday.

Thousands have been protesting against the copper smelting plant in Tuticorin
In December, Rajinikanth had announced he would launch a party and contest all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu in the next assembly elections due in 2021.
Kamal Haasan had launched his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam in February, promising an end to corruption, education for all and jobs for the youth.
Ever since Rajinikanth announced his entry into active politics, the two actors have been repeatedly asked if they would contest elections together. Without confirming or ruling out the possibility of future ties, Mr Haasan had said last month, "red is not my political complexion" and added "I hope Rajinikanth's colour is not saffron because if it is, an alliance is unlikely."
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