Apologise or face ban, Karnataka minister Shivaraj Tangadagi tells Kamal Haasan

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Wednesday said it would seek a ban on thespian Kamal Haasan if he did not apologise for his comment that Kannada was born out of Tamil, which sparked protests in different parts of the state.

“Kamal Haasan should apologise for speaking lightly about Kannada. If he doesn’t, then the government will write to the Karnataka Films Chamber of Commerce seeking a ban on him,” Kannada & Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said.

The minister pointed out that Kamal Haasan had acted in several Kannada films. “He needs our language to act and earn money. But can he say such things for the sake of free publicity?” Tangadagi said.

“Earlier, (singer) Sonu Nigam had to apologise after his comments about Kannadigas,” he added.

Tangadagi also urged Kannada star Shiva Raj Kumar to condemn Kamal Haasan’s comment. In fact, Haasan’s comment was directed at Kumar at an event to promote Thug Life, which is the Tamil actor’s latest flick.

“The Raj Kumar family has contributed to Kannada. Likewise, Kannada has contributed to their family. So, Kumar should condemn what Haasan has said,” Tangadagi said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also refuted Kamal Haasan’s claim that Karnataka’s language was born out of Tamil. “The Kannada language has a very long history. Poor (Kamal Haasan) does not know,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka described Kamal Haasan as a “madman” and called upon Kannadigas to boycott him. “His remarks about Kannada make it clear that he’s an urban naxal,” he said.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra demanded an “unconditional apology” from Haasan. “Artists should respect all languages. It reeks of arrogance that Kamal Haasan, who has acted in many Indian languages, including Kannada, has insulted Kannada,” he said.

Pro-Kannada outfits staged protests in various parts of the state, including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Mysuru and Hubballi.

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, headed by activist Praveen Shetty, filed a complaint with the RT Nagar police in north Bengaluru stating that Haasan’s comment “not only hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas but also sowed the seed of hatred between Kannadigas and Tamils”.

The police have acknowledged the complaint and are seeking legal opinion on filing an FIR, a senior officer said.