Kannada Rakshana Vedike’s opposition to Telugu movie Okkamagadu has taken a new twist with various pro-Kannada organisations accusing the Vedike of resorting to blackmailing.

Pro-Kannada organisation took to the streets on Monday. A protest rally was held in the City and later a petition was submitted at the Deputy Commissioner’s office urging for suitable action.

Telugu movie Okkamagadu was released in the City last Friday at Bhavani theatre. However, on the day of release, KRV activists protested in front of the theatre urging that Telugu movies should not be simultaneously released in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. They should be released only after four days of their release in Andhra Pradesh, KRV activists argued. Police arrested the activists and the morning show of the movie was stalled, following the DC’s orders.

Demanding money

Pro-Kannada organisations have alleged that KRV State chief secretary Jayadev Prasanna had demanded Rs 50,000 from the theatre owner to allow the movie to be exhibited. However, since the theatre owner declined to budge to his demand, Prasanna approached the DC on Saturday and threatened that a mega protest of at least 10,000 people will be held opposing the movie show. Against this backdrop, with a view to maintain law and order in the City,  the DC issued orders staying the exhibition of the movie on Monday and Tuesday.

Pro-Kannada organisations have opposed the action of the DC in stalling the movie show. Sri Bhuvaneshwari Kannadaigara Sangha, Sri Vishala Karnataka Kannadigara Sangha, Sri Krishnadevaraya Kannadigara Sangha, Sai Hanuman Kannadigara Sangha and many other organisations took part in the protest. Leaders Madhusudan, Makkad venkatesh, Venkatachalapati, Balaji, Dinesh, police Narayanaswami, K Suryanarayana, K N Manjunath, Appi (Narayanaswamy) were among those who went to the Deputy Commissioner office to submit petition. Police provided tight security during the protest.

No movies

Meantime, owners of all theatres in the City have cancelled screening of movies for two days, opposing the restriction on the screening of the Telugu movie.