‘Disrupts peace, harmony, and unity’: Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa slams actor Kamal Haasan over Kannada language remark | Bengaluru News
NEW DELHI: Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday criticised actor Kamal Haasan on X over his remark that “Kannada is born from Tamil”, and demanded an apology. B.S. Yediyurappa stated (translated), “Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal’ is not just the rallying cry of Kannadigas, but also the pledge of Kannadigas towards Mother Bhuvaneshwari, the deity of Kannada. Many senior linguistic experts have demonstrated that Kannada did not originate from any specific language. It is deeply regrettable and condemnable that artist Kamal Haasan, who is neither a historian nor a linguistic expert, has spoken insensitively about the Kannada language. His behavior, which unnecessarily disrupts peace, harmony, and unity, is not right. In the fervor of expressing his opinion, he has hurt the sentiments of crores of Kannadigas, and he must respectfully apologize to Kannada and Kannadigas. Apologizing does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater!”The Chennai-based producers of Thug Life, set to release on Thursday, had on Monday filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court challenging the ban imposed by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The petitioner sought a restraint order against KFCC and adequate security for the producers, cast, and others.KFCC had announced the ban on May 30 citing Haasan’s remark that “Kannada is born from Tamil”. Raajkamal Films International, the petitioner, argued the KFCC’s action was based not on the film’s content but on personal remarks by the actor. It also submitted that the film had been certified by the CBFC and the ban infringes upon Article 19(1)(g).KFCC president M Narasimhalu had said the film would not be allowed to screen unless Haasan apologised. He also said distributors were awaiting a conversation with the actor. Reports suggested the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce had reached out to Haasan to resolve the matter.Mandya MLA Ravikumar Ganiga on Monday said Ooty and Hosur, though currently in Tamil Nadu, were historically part of Karnataka and should be merged back. He criticised what he described as a pattern of disregard from Tamil Nadu toward Karnataka’s interests.
