Actor’s claim that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada” triggers protests and political backlash across Karnataka
Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan has landed in controversy following his recent comments made at the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, where he claimed that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada.” The statement has not gone down well in Karnataka, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders, language activists, and citizens alike.
CM Siddaramaiah Responds: “Poor Kamal Haasan, He Is Unaware”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was quick to respond, criticizing Haasan’s remark and defending the rich legacy of the Kannada language.
“Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it,” said Siddaramaiah, as quoted by ANI.
Pro-Kannada Outfits Take to the Streets
The remarks have ignited widespread protests in cities across Karnataka, including Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. Pro-Kannada groups such as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) expressed their anger, demanding a public and unconditional apology from Haasan.
“Kamal Haasan must apologise unconditionally to the people of Karnataka for belittling our language. Until he does, we will not permit his movies to screen anywhere in the state,” said KRV leader Gowda during a press conference.
He added that this issue was not merely about a single statement but about upholding the dignity and identity of the Kannada language and its speakers.
Politicians Weigh In
Several political figures have also reacted to the controversy. Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad condemned the comment and called for unity rather than division.
“Kannada and Tamil are ancient languages and part of our country’s foundation… I did not expect Kamal Haasan to make such a statement. It is unfortunate,” Arshad told ANI.
On the other hand, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan accused the BJP of amplifying the issue for political gain.
“This is being misrepresented to create unrest. Kamal Haasan may have been citing a historical perspective, not making a personal judgment,” Elangovan stated.
The Broader Debate: Language, Identity, and Respect
The controversy has reignited an ongoing debate over linguistic identity and cultural pride in southern India. Kannada and Tamil are both classical languages with ancient roots, and scholars from both states have long contributed to India’s linguistic diversity.
While Kamal Haasan has yet to issue a public clarification or apology, the pressure is mounting, and the film industry is watching closely as protests threaten the release of his films in Karnataka.
Conclusion
As tensions simmer, the situation serves as a reminder of how sensitive linguistic and cultural matters are in a multilingual country like India. Whether Kamal Haasan will respond or retract his statement remains to be seen.
