Kamal Haasan doesn’t know history, says Siddaramaiah as actor-politician’s remark on Kannada sparks outrage

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan’s recent remarks that Kannada was born out of Tamil language has sparked off a massive outrage in Karnataka, with protests being held at various parts of the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, too, slammed the Makkal Needhi Maiam leader’s remarks, saying he was not aware of the ancient history of Kannada language.

"Kannada language has a very long history....he (Kamal Hassan) doesn't know," Siddaramaiah told reporters. 

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada outfit, staged a protest in front of the INOX cinema hall in Belagavi, demanding an apology from Haasan.

Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra also demanded an unconditional apology from the actor, saying his remarks were an insult to the Kannada language and the self-respect of 6.5 crore Kannadigas.

"One should love one's mother tongue, but showing disrespect in its name is uncultured behaviour. Especially artists should have a culture of respecting every language. It is the height of arrogance that an actor, Kamal Haasan, who has acted in many Indian languages, including Kannada, has insulted Kannada by including actor Shivarajkumar in the glorification of his Tamil language," he said in a post on X.

Activists, who staged protests in Bengaluru, Hubbali and Mysuru, claimed that the Kannnada language has a history spanning thousands of years.

The protesters burnt Kamal Hassan's posters at Belagavi and few other places, and raised slogans against him. They have even threatened to obstruct screening of his film Thug Life in the state, if he fails to issue an apology.

Kamal Haasan allegedly made the remarks a few days ago at the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai. Kannada actor Shivarajkumar was also present at the event.

India