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India Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pro-Kannada group files complaint against Kamal Haasan for controversial remark
A pro-Kannada group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), has filed a formal complaint against actor Kamal Haasan for his controversial remark on the Kannada language and has sought legal action against him. The complaint states that Haasan's statement, 'Kannada is born from Tamil', has allegedly 'hurt the Kannada language and the sentiments of Kannadigas.'KRV president Praveen Shetty, in the complaint submitted on Wednesday at the RM Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru, called the statement 'unlawful' and implied that it goes against the harmony between the two actor stirred controversy after stating that the 'Kannada language was born out of Tamil' during the audio launch of his latest film Thug Life in Chennai on May 24. Haasan faced severe political and online backlash after a snippet of his statement was widely circulated on social media. In a rare show of unity, Congress and BJP leaders in Karnataka condemned the actor for his 'untrue' remarks. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him 'poor Kamal Haasan,' while Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka referred to him as a 'mental patient.'The actor, however, downplayed the row and said he would not apologise for something spoken out of affection. 'What I said was said out of love, and a lot of historians have taught me language history. I didn't mean anything,' he told the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He also added that political figures often lack the expertise to comment on such InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Kamal Haasan
India.com
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Sonu Nigam Moves Karnataka HC, Seeks Legal Relief Amid Bengaluru Event Controversy
Bengaluru: Singer Sonu Nigam has approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking the quashing of the cases filed against him for allegedly making offensive remarks about the Kannadiga community. The court, after hearing the matter, adjourned the hearing to May 15. The controversy erupted after Nigam's statement at a music event in Bengaluru on April 22, which reportedly hurt the sentiments of many Kannadigas. Following the remarks, a complaint was lodged at the Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru, prompting the authorities to register an FIR against the singer. Singer Sonu Nigam has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of the cases registered against him. The High Court has adjourned the hearing to May 15. A complaint was filed at the Avalahalli police station against him for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas.… — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025 The police issued a notice to Nigam, asking him to respond within seven days. Since Nigam failed to provide a response, the police issued a second notice, demanding his appearance for questioning. On May 3, an FIR was registered against Nigam under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), Section 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and Section 353 (incitement to public mischief). The case was filed following a complaint from Dharmaraj A., the President of the Bengaluru Urban District Unit of the pro-Kannada group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. The FIR accuses Nigam of making remarks that "emotionally provoked" and "hurt the sentiments" of the Kannadiga community, potentially inciting unrest among different linguistic communities in the state. In the aftermath of the FIR, Sonu Nigam issued a public apology on May 5, acknowledging the hurt caused by his comments. Taking to social media, Nigam wrote, "Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always." The singer expressed regret for any offence caused, emphasising that his affection for his fans in Karnataka superseded any personal pride. In addition to the legal proceedings, the Bengaluru District Police served Nigam a notice, directing him to appear before the investigating officer within the next week. The investigation is centred around a video that went viral, showing Nigam's controversial remarks during his performance at the music event in late April.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengaluru police give Sonu Nigam May 15 deadline to appear in probe over controversial Pahalgam comment
Playback singer Sonu Nigam has been summoned by Bengaluru police to appear by May 15 over an FIR accusing him of insulting Kannadigas during an April 25 event. The Karnataka Film Chamber has suspended collaborations with him. Nigam seeks to quash the FIR, while investigations continue amid protests. Playback singer Sonu Nigam has been asked by Bengaluru police to appear for questioning by May 15 in connection with an FIR lodged against him for allegedly offending Kannadigas during a private event held in Bengaluru on April 25. Hearing Scheduled in Karnataka High Court The singer is set to appear in the Karnataka High Court on May 15 for the hearing of his petition seeking to quash the FIR filed against him. The case was heard by a vacation bench headed by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar, who scheduled the matter for that date. FIR Filed Following Complaint by Pro-Kannada Group by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo The FIR lodged against the national award-winning singer stemmed from a complaint by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a group representing pro-Kannada organizations. They claimed that Nigam's remarks depicted Kannadigas as intolerant, violent, and terrorists. Police Statement on Seriousness of Charges Talking to News18, CK Baba, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Bengaluru, stated that the sections under which the FIR has been lodged are serious. He mentioned that, prima facie, there is evidence indicating that Sonu Nigam's statements were derogatory and insulting to Kannadigas. He also added that the police will present an appropriate counter in court while continuing their investigations. Charges and Legal Proceedings Nigam faces charges under Sections 351, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which cover criminal intimidation, intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, and making statements likely to cause public mischief. He has filed a petition seeking to dismiss both the complaint dated May 2 and the FIR registered on May 3, and has requested a temporary halt to the ongoing investigation. Although Nigam has previously performed numerous popular Kannada songs, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Sandalwood industry will suspend all future collaborations with him in light of the controversy. Demands by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike The complaint said Sonu Nigam hurt the feelings and respect of the Kannadiga community. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike wrote to the Karnataka police chief asking for three things: to arrest Nigam right away, to investigate the matter carefully to stop such incidents in the future, and to take legal action against anyone who speaks badly or divides people against Kannadigas, said KRV president Narayan Gowda.
Deccan Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Pride over prejudice
When some college students requested popular singer Sonu Nigam to perform a Kannada song at a function in Bengaluru, no one expected it would ignite a national controversy. What seemed like an innocuous demand from fans has spiralled into a debate on linguistic chauvinism and insider-outsider dynamics. Sonu Nigam's comparison of the request to the Pahalgam terror attack was not only disproportionate but deeply insensitive, pouring fuel on an already simmering incident has been hastily labelled as another instance of 'Kannada fanaticism', a term often carelessly thrown around. But before labelling it so, it is essential to understand the context behind this linguistic assertiveness. Kannada pride has its roots in a long and historical struggle for identity and fight for Kannada predates the formation of Karnataka itself. The movement to unite Kannada-speaking regions started in the mid-19th century, gaining momentum under the leadership of Alur Venkata Rao in 1903. The Karnataka Ekikarana (unification) movement which began in 1946 culminated in the formation of the state of Mysore in 1956 – a dream that was more about language and culture, than about borders. In 1973, the state was renamed Karnataka, completing an important landmark in the assertion of Kannada the decades, Kannada activism has taken various forms including literary movements, protests and campaigns addressing regional concerns like language issues, culture, water rights and border Gokak agitation in the 1980s was a watershed moment. Led by literary and cultural giants, and later embraced by the masses, including cinema icon Dr Rajkumar, the movement demanded primacy for Kannada in education. Another milestone was the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report (1986) relating to the reservation of jobs for Kannada activism has not been without friction. In the past, Tamil was often seen as a linguistic rival. The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu triggered violent attacks on Tamils in 1991, with slums torched, businesses targeted and at least 16 lives lost in police firing. Hundreds of Tamils fled the state, leaving scars on Karnataka's social flashpoint occurred in 1994 when the Bengaluru Kendra of Doordarshan introduced a 10-minute Urdu news bulletin, perceived as a direct challenge to Kannada. Protests turned deadly, claiming around 25 lives. There were attempts to communalise the movement during this time, but fortunately, these did not gain lasting traction, allowing Kannada activism to retain its secular the years, various organisations like Kannada Sahitya Parishat and individuals such as Vatal Nagaraj, M Chidananda Murthy, and T A Narayana Gowda have supported the language movement. However, some of their actions have been subject to lacks a resurgence is underway, driven by young, urban professionals. Many Kannadigas working in the IT sector are championing the cause, not by rejecting English, but by demanding importance and respect for Kannada. The target is not Tamil, as in the past, but increasingly Hindi, or more precisely, the 'imposition' of Hindi and the cultural supremacy complex that accompanies is growing against 'outsiders' who settle in Karnataka but refuse to learn Kannada, insisting instead that locals speak in Hindi. This has sparked viral videos, heated social media battles, and real-world confrontations. But at the core of it lies a fundamental question: Why is it acceptable to expect a Kannadiga to learn Hindi, but not the reverse?.Language is more than a tool of communication, it is the heartbeat of the people. The Kannada language encapsulates centuries of poetry, philosophy, art, folklore and music. Disregarding it, especially in its homeland, is not just disrespectful, but could lead to its fervour is not unique to Karnataka – all states have had their moments of linguistic assertion. But Karnataka's struggle has always been a fight for respect, not dominance. It is this nuance that is often lost in polarised are quick to equate the Kannada movement with jingoism, but there is a crucial distinction between asserting one's identity and imposing it on others. Kannadigas are not asking anyone to abandon their language or culture. They are only seeking reciprocity, for their linguistic heritage to be valued alongside the Sonu Nigam controversy is a symptom of a broader challenge: India's struggle to fully embrace its linguistic diversity. The solution lies in promoting multilingualism, respecting the primacy of all languages, and abandoning notions of linguistic superiority. Pride in one's language is not fanaticism, it is the celebration of one's heritage. Ultimately, the path forward is simple: mutual respect and recognition that linguistic diversity enriches the fabric of the nation..(The writer is a Bengaluru- based senior journalist)
