Latest news with #Kannada.
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kamal Haasan files nomination for Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president and actor Kamal Haasan on Friday filed his nomination papers to contest the biennial Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for June 19 from Tamil submitted the papers at the State Secretariat in Chennai in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and senior leaders from his party. He signed and handed over the nomination documents to election officials, marking his formal entry into the upcoming upper house move follows a brief delay in the nomination process. Haasan had initially been expected to file his papers earlier but deferred it, reportedly on the advice of party insiders who suggested the timing may not be ideal due to the backlash he faced for a controversial comment on the origins of Kannada. At a recent promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, Haasan had remarked that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil', prompting widespread criticism from pro-Kannada groups. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce subsequently halted the release and screening of the film in the state, following protests and calls for a boycott. Haasan refused to apologise, maintaining that his comment had been taken out of context. He later told the Karnataka High Court that he would not release the film in the state, though he continued to defend his Rajya Sabha nomination comes under an electoral pact with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which had promised him a seat in the upper house in exchange for his party's support to the DMK-led alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The DMK formally announced Haasan as one of its three Rajya Sabha candidates on May for six Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu are set to be held on June 19. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
In defence of Sonu Nigam, SBI official and all ‘anti-Kannada' people
'Kannada Kannada ... This is the reason what occurred in Pahalgam, happened.''I will not ... I will never speak Kannada.'Two different people. Two separate utterances. One single reaction. One missing element. The first was said by playback singer Sonu Nigam during a concert in Bengaluru. The second was said by a supposed manager of a State Bank of India suburban branch, again in statements, captured on camera, sparked outrage over 'disrupted public harmony' and 'insulted dignity' of Kannadigas. A pro-Kannada group filed a complaint against Nigam on May 2, stating he 'insulted the Kannadiga community and equated their cultural pride and linguistic identity with violence and intolerance' by linking a fan's repeated song requests to in both cases, the individuals said much more before and after these inflammatory snippets. So, here is the defence for both Sonu Nigam and the SBI official: There is context to this and there is intent. Neither seems to have been taken into consideration before going hammer and tongs at the two individuals for hurting Kannada NIGAM 'DIDN'T LIKE' THE 'RUDE THREATENING' BEHAVIOURIn Sonu Nigam's case, he was trying to explain the 'rude' behaviour and attitude of a single individual in the audience. There is a one-minute video that shows how he is trying to explain that he was the complete video, he says: 'Whenever I come to Karnataka, I come with respect, because you have thought of us as family. I didn't like it that a boy there ... he was so rudely threatening me: 'Kannada! Kannada!' I've probably sung more songs in Kannada than how old he probably is ... This is the reason what happened in Pahalgam. What you are doing. What you did just now.'He continues: 'I love Kannadigas. I love you guys ... There would be 14,000 people in the audience but if there is one voice which says Kannada ... for that one person, I sing a few lines in Kannada. That's how much I respect you guys.'Nigam said all in the build up to the comparison, that led to mass outrage and some of his gigs getting context is that he was heckled. His intent is to let everyone know that he was upset by the behaviour of a member of the audience and he also expects respect in OFFICIAL WANTED TO KNOW 'WHERE IS THE RULE' FOR KANNADAIn the SBI official's case, she was arguing with a customer. What is being circulated on social media is about half of the entire exchange full 2:55-minute video shows the customer first complaining about wait times: 'I came here for service. I have been sitting here. Has anyone come to the counter yet? Anyone who is there, come and sit at the counter.'When the erring official entered the conversation saying, 'It's not your duty to tell us what to do,' the customer demanded: 'Talk in Kannada. Why are you talking in Hindi?'This is where things escalated, as the man is heard saying, 'Talk in Kannada. Why are you talking in Hindi?'Other staff explained she didn't know Kannada, but the customer persisted, speaking only in Kannada and pushing her to respond in a language she couldn't speak. Her colleagues tried to mediate, but both parties remained stubborn. At what can also be construed as egging, her response escalated from 'I don't know' to 'I will not' to finally 'I will never' about speaking the context is of an isolated argument between a frustrated customer and a haughty official. Here, both parties are intent on having the upper hand. He didn't like that he had to wait; she didn't like that he told her and her colleagues to do their WITHOUT CONTEXT, INTENT OR MOTIVEIn these two separate cases, both Sonu Nigam and the SBI official were virtually crucified for causing harm to the dignity of of the fact that there were following videos. Sonu Nigam had two separate videos: one where he apologised for having caused hurt unintentionally and another trying to explain the incident video of the SBI official being helped and coached by presumably her colleagues to apologise in Kannada. She says she did not mean any hurt. 'Anyone if hurt, forgive me. I'll cooperate for transactions in Kannada,' she is repeating what is being told to other following videos did not get as much traction as the ones of their indiscretion. Their utterances were taken out of context by snipping them to the operative offending parts and then both cases they were driven to make these gaffes. One was heckled, the other was egged on. And yet, there are no fingers being pointed at the other party, who in a just society, will also be held jury when trying a crime takes context, intent and motive into consideration before assigning guilt. In court, it is 'presumed innocent until proven guilty.'advertisementSonu Nigam and the SBI official, however, have been presumed guilty unless proven innocent.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bengaluru SBI official's apology in Kannada after 'This is India' viral video
A day after a State Bank of India (SBI) official in Bengaluru refused to speak Kannada with a local customer, a new video of the same staffer has surfaced online — this time showing her apologising in Kannada. In the video, the official repeats in Kannada, 'Whoever got hurt because of me, I'm sorry. I will try to converse in Kannada,' as she is coached, presumably by her colleagues, on what to separate video of her apologising has emerged after the official in question was reportedly transferred by the SBI. The new video was shared by multiple handles on social media platform X, with several comments following each of She Apologised for her Rude Behaviour Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 21, 2025The initial incident, where she got into an argument with a customer over speaking the local language, snowballed into a controversy after the video went viral. The incident, which took place at SBI's Surya Nagar branch in Bengaluru, triggered public debate with pro-Kannada groups calling for statewide protests and political leaders weighing in. A video of the initial confrontation shows the SBI staffer arguing with a customer, who urges her to speak Kannada. The official responds by asking, 'Is there a rule that says I must?' As the exchange escalates, she walks away, saying, 'I will never speak Kannada.'advertisementIn the clip, the customer is heard saying, 'This is Karnataka,' to which the official replies, 'This is India.' The employee also appears to ask the customer to speak in Kannada and not in Hindi, adding to the confusion and chaos in the video was widely shared on social media platform X with the public accusing the staff of imposing Hindi, misbehaving with customers, and violating RBI issued a statement saying it was 'deeply concerned' and is conducting a thorough evaluation of the incident. The bank reiterated that it has a zero-tolerance policy toward behaviour that affects customer sentiment and is committed to respectful Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while terming the official's behaviour 'strongly condemnable' welcomed SBI's decision to transfer her and said the matter could now be treated as Reel IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
India Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
SBI branch staffer argues with customer, announces ‘I will never speak Kannada'
A State Bank of India (SBI) official's refusal to speak Kannada during an interaction with a customer has stirred controversy and drawn sharp public criticism in Karnataka. A video of the incident, which took place at the bank's Surya Nagar branch in Anekal taluk, shows the staffer arguing with a customer over the use of the local the video, the official can also be heard asking the person recording the video, who is presumably the customer, if there is any rule that mandates her speaking Kannada. The argument quickly escalates where the customer can be heard repeatedly telling the officer to speak Kannada, at which point she walks away while declaring, 'I will never speak Kannada.'advertisementThe video was shared widely on social media platform X, where a user tagged the SBI and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alleging that the staff were imposing Hindi on customers, misbehaving, and failing to follow RBI guidelines during work the backlash, SBI issued a public statement expressing regret over the incident. 'We are deeply concerned about the recent incident at our Surya Nagar Branch of AO South Bengaluru. The matter is currently under thorough evaluation,' the bank said. It added that SBI follows a zero-tolerance policy toward behaviour that affects customer sentiment and remains committed to ensuring respectful row has since escalated, with pro-Kannada outfit Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) announcing statewide protests. The group has accused the SBI Chandapura branch staff of repeatedly disrespecting Kannada-speaking customers and failing to offer basic services in the local May 21, KRV plans to hold two simultaneous protests at 11 am. The main protest march, led by hundreds of activists, will head to SBI's Head Office on St. Mark's Road in Bengaluru to submit a memorandum. Meanwhile, the KRV Women's Wing will stage a demonstration outside the Chandapura branch on Anekal state president TA Narayanagowda said it was a matter of linguistic respect and customer dignity.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Bengaluru police team to leave for Mumbai to record Sonu Nigam's statement
Bengaluru: A Bengaluru police team will travel to Mumbai to record the statement of singer Sonu Nigam in connection with an FIR filed against him for allegedly linking the demand for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam terror attack, police said on Saturday. The team, comprising an Inspector from the Avalahalli Police Station and two other officers, will leave for Mumbai to question Sonu Nigam. His statement will be recorded, and the entire process will be video recorded. Senior officers have issued specific instructions to the team, and the inquiry will be conducted in accordance with the directions issued by the Karnataka High Court. The Karnataka High Court had directed the state police not to initiate any coercive action against Sonu Nigam. The court instructed that the police could either question him via video call or travel to his location to conduct the inquiry. The police had previously sent a notice via email asking Sonu Nigam to appear before them. However, the singer filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him. The Karnataka High Court on May 15 granted relief to singer Sonu Nigam and directed the police not to take any coercive action against him in the controversial remarks case. A bench headed by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar has also directed Sonu Nigam to cooperate with the investigation. An FIR was lodged on May 3 under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace or incite another offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sonu Nigam approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking the quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Karnataka Police. Notably, during the event at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru, Sonu Nigam was interrupted by a youth in the audience who requested a Kannada song. Reacting to the interruption, Nigam said, "I have sung in different languages. Among them, the best songs are in Kannada. Whenever I come to Karnataka, I come with a lot of love and respect. You all have treated me like family. I always sing Kannada songs when requested. I've been singing in Kannada longer than that particular youth's age. But I didn't like the way he shouted 'Kannada, Kannada'. It is because of such behaviour that incidents like the Pahalgam attack happen." His remarks sparked outrage, with several Kannada organisations demanding an unconditional apology. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) subsequently barred him from engaging in professional work within the Kannada film industry and demanded an apology. In response, Sonu Nigam apologised on his Instagram handle, stating: "Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always."
