‘Apologise or don’t seek protection’: Karnataka HC to Kamal Haasan over ‘Kannada born from Tamil’ remark | Bengaluru News

The Karnataka High Court addressed a petition by ‘Thug Life’ producers seeking protection against a ban spurred by Kamal Haasan’s remark about Kannada’s origin.

BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court on Tuesday posed some serious questions to actor Kamal Haasan regarding his controversial remarks that the Kannada language originated from the Tamil language.The actor, through Raajkamal Films International, Chennai, the producers of the film “Thug Life,” filed a petition challenging the ban imposed by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and also sought police protection for the release and exhibition of the film.Justice M Nagaprasanna pointed out that in 1950, C Rajagopalachari made a similar statement but apologised for it and questioned why Kamal Haasan couldn’t do the same. “You (Kamal Haasan) have no right to hurt the sentiments. In this country, Jala (water), Nela (land), and Bhashe (language) are dear to people. What did the people of Karnataka ask for? An apology? There is no apology or an explanation. It is all a circumstance created by Kamal Haasan,” the judge told the counsel for the petitioner.“Are you a historian, a linguist? On what basis did you speak? If Rajagopalachari could tender a public apology 75 years ago, why can’t you (Kamal Haasan)? For your commercial interest, you have approached this court seeking police protection for a situation created by you,” the judge further added.“Language is a sentiment attached to the land of people. Kannada is a strong language and doesn’t wither by such statements. Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments,” Justice Nagaprasanna further observed while adjourning the hearing to the post-lunch session as both the govt advocate and the counsel for the petitioner sought time to seek instructions.Even super star Rajnikanth had apologized for his remarks regarding Cauvery water during the release of film Kaala, the judge further pointed out.Earlier, Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that neither KFCC nor the state govt can ban a film for which clearance has been given by CBFC. He further added that there was no intention on the part of the actor to deride the Kannada language. “Thug Life has become Thuggy,” he quipped, explaining the entire situation.