Must apologise or face ban: Karnataka Minister on Kamal Haasan's Kannada remarks
Karnataka's Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S Tangadagi, wrote to the state Film Chamber of Commerce seeking a ban on the release of actor Kamal Haasan's films in the state if he does not issue an apology for his remarks on Kannada language.In a statement, the Minister said the actor had 'deeply hurt' the sentiments of Kannada-speaking people through the comments Haasan made at a recent film event. Tangadagi was responding to the controversy created by Haasan by his remark 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' at the audio launch of his upcoming film 'Thug Life'.'When it comes to our language, land, and water, we will not tolerate anyone speaking against them, no matter how big the person is, even if it is Kamal Haasan,' Tangadagi said.advertisement'He must immediately apologise for his comments about Kannada. He is a Kannada actor himself and has acted in Kannada movies. He should apologise to the people of Karnataka and Kannadigas, there are no two ways about it. Otherwise, I will write to the Film Chamber demanding a ban on the release of his movies or any of his work in the state,' he said.
Pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike also staged a protest outside the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce demanding that Kamal Haasan publicly apologise for his remarks.Taking into consideration the controversy and the protests, the Karnataka Film Chamber has reportedly issued a 24-hour deadline to Kamal Haasan to apologise. Failing this, the film association has said it will support the pro-Kannada organisation's demand to ban the release of his upcoming film Thug Life in the state.advertisementIn a formal letter addressed to the President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Tangadagi reiterated his stand, stating: 'Regardless of how prominent a person might be, no one can be allowed to make such statements regarding the land, water, or language of Karnataka.''If Tamil actor Kamal Haasan fails to apologise to the people of the state and to the Kannadigas, I hereby state that a ban should be immediately imposed on the screening of his films in Karnataka,' he wrote.The pro-Kannada organisation, on Wednesday, also filed a police complaint against Haasan over his remarks. The group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, also staged a protest outside the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce demanding that Kamal Haasan publicly apologise for his remarks.The Minister also acknowledged that Haasan's political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, is allied with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. 'DMK is our ally party and they are in alliance with another small party in Tamil Nadu, where an MLA has called for a ban on Kannada films. But we did not hurt any sentiments. DMK might be our friendly party, but when it comes to language and land, it comes first,' he said.Meanwhile, a regional party from Tamil Nadu allied with the DMK has issued a counter-warning to Karnataka. Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader and MLA T Velmurugan, in a Facebook post, said, 'If Kamal Haasan's Thug Life movie is not released in Karnataka, we issue a warning that none of the Karnataka movies will be released in Tamil Nadu.'With inputs from Anagha Keshav
IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Tamil Nadu
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