The recent comment by actor Kamal Haasan, stating that "Kannada was born out of Tamil," has ignited a major controversy, drawing strong backlash from pro-Kannada groups and political leaders in Karnataka. The statement was made during the audio launch of his upcoming film 'Thug Life' in Chennai and was immediately met with criticism for its perceived insensitivity towards the Kannada language and its rich history.
Among the most vocal critics is Praveen Shetty, a prominent leader of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organization. Shetty has vehemently condemned Haasan's remarks, accusing him of disrespecting the Kannada language while simultaneously seeking business opportunities in Karnataka. He issued a stern warning to the actor, stating that the organization was prepared to apply black ink to him during his visit to the state. Shetty further threatened that if Haasan continues to speak against Karnataka and its people, his films would face a ban in the state.
"Kamal Haasan said Tamil is better than Kannada and Kannada only after Tamil was born. We are warning Kamal, you need business in Karnataka? And yet insulting Kannada," Shetty stated, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in Haasan's actions. He added, "Today you were here in the state, and we were ready to apply black ink to you, and you've run away. We warn you, if you talk against Karnataka and people of the state, there'll be protests against you. We warn you, your movie will be banned in Karnataka."
The controversy has also drawn in political figures, with BJP Karnataka State President BY Vijayendra leading the charge. Vijayendra has labeled Haasan's comments as "uncultured behavior" and "the height of arrogance," emphasizing that artists should respect all languages. He accused Haasan of insulting Kannada, especially considering his past involvement in Kannada films. Vijayendra further pointed out that Kannada boasts a heritage spanning over 2,500 years and should not be undermined by such remarks.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Vijayendra alleged that Haasan has a history of making controversial statements, including those that insult Hinduism and hurt religious sentiments. He stated that Haasan has now offended 6.5 crore Kannadigas and demanded an unconditional apology.
The controversy has sparked widespread protests, with pro-Kannada activists tearing down banners of 'Thug Life' in Bengaluru. There were also reports of planned protests where activists intended to throw black ink at Haasan during a film promotion event, but the actor reportedly left the venue early to avoid confrontation.
The incident underscores the sensitive nature of linguistic pride and regional sentiment in India. Critics argue that Haasan's remarks undermine the identity and cultural pride of Kannadigas, adding fuel to the existing tensions surrounding language politics in South India. Calls for a boycott of Kamal Haasan's films in Karnataka are growing, with many demanding a formal apology or clarification from the actor to resolve the issue.
As of now, Kamal Haasan has not issued any statement addressing the controversy or offering an apology. The situation remains tense, with pro-Kannada groups determined to continue their protests until their demands are met.
