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Actor Kamal Haasan’s comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada outfits with protests in various parts of Karnataka like Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru
In a recent interview at the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ in Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan claimed that Tamil gave birth to Kannada. (Image: PTI/Atul Yadav)
Karnataka culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Wednesday warned actor Kamal Haasan that his films will be banned in the state if he fails to apologise over his ‘Tamil gave birth to Kannada’ remarks.
Tangadagi asked Kamal Haasan to apologise for his remarks or face a ban on his cinema in Karnataka. This was in response to the actor’s recent remark at the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, where he claimed that Tamil gave birth to Kannada.
“Kamal Haasan has spoken in an inappropriate manner about Kannadigas. Kannadigas will not tolerate this. He should apologise. If he doesn’t, I shall write to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. I am writing today. He should apologise at any cost. There is no question about it. Else, we will ensure that his films will be banned from being screened in the state,” Tangadagi said.
The comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada outfits. These groups staged protests against Haasan in various parts of the state like Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, Bengaluru among others.
The activists claimed that Kannada has a history spanning thousands of years. As a demonstration of their anger, they burnt Haasan’s posters at Belagavi and a few other places, and raised slogans against him.
Condemning the actor-politician’s statement, the agitators demanded that he apologise to the people of the state. They have even threatened to obstruct the screening of his film Thug Life in the state, if he fails to issue an apology.
WHO SAID WHAT?
Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Kannada language has a long history, and Haasan is unaware of it. “Kannada language has a very long history…he (Kamal Haasan) doesn’t know,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
Several political leaders also weighed in on the controversy. Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra had accused Kamal Haasan of “disrespecting” Kannada in his effort to glorify his own mother tongue. He also demanded that the actor issue an “unconditional apology to Kannadigas immediately”.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthiran, however, sought to defuse the controversy surrounding the actor, asserting that while opinions on linguistic origins may differ, “ultimately, all languages are ours”. His conciliatory tone contrasts with the sharp criticism from other BJP leaders.
“If we research whether Kannada originated from the Tamil language, there will be differences of opinion, but ultimately, all languages are ours,” he said.
Earlier, Congress MLA from Karnataka Rizwan Arshad expressed his disappointment over Haasan’s remark, calling it unfortunate and questioning the necessity of such a debate at a time when national unity is paramount. “What kind of a debate is this? The Kannada language has a history of thousands of years… Kannada and Tamil are ancient languages and part of our country’s foundation… Is this debate necessary at a time when all of us have to be united… I did not expect Kamal Haasan to make such a statement. It is unfortunate,” he said.
The DMK, however, defended Haasan as spokesperson TKS Elangovan criticised the BJP for stirring controversy over Haasan’s reported statement, accusing the party of creating trouble and dividing people by misrepresenting historical references as insults. He noted that a language’s credit is based on how it is being used and not how it was born in the first place, arguing that his comment was likely a historical citation rather than a personal opinion. He stressed that the focus should be on the use of a language and its impact rather than its origins.
(With PTI inputs)
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