New Delhi: In a big jolt for actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday, the Delhi high court ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to act on a complaint against him calling for de-recognition of his party and a ban on his campaigning.

Senior advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay had moved the Delhi high court on Tuesday against Hassan for linking Hindu religion and terrorism.

Haasan had on May 12 said, “I am not saying this because many Muslims are here, I am saying this in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. The first terrorist in independent India is a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse.”

The president of Makkal Needhi Maiam, Haasan, said this while campaigning in the Aravakurichi Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner said he would move the Supreme Court if the election commission did not take any action in the matter.

In addition to Upadhyay’s petition, a criminal complaint was also filed against Haasan at Delhi's Patiala House Court. The court would hear the matter on May 16.

Also read: Criminal plaint against Kamal Haasan for Hindu terror jibe against Nathuram Godse

Hindu Sena chief Vishnu Gupta moved the court against Haasan for having hurt the sentiments of Hindus without any basis by associating terrorism with the religion and for trying to create enmity among the followers of different religions.

A third complaint against Haasan was filed in Aravakurichi on Tuesday before a court seeking Haasan’s prosecution in the same matter.

A Metropolitan Magistrate would hear the matter most likely on May 16.