Are you a historian or a linguist ? : Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court pulled up Kamal Haasan for disrespecting the Kannada language !

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Actor Kamal Haasan’s statement that “the Kannada language originated from Tamil” sparked outrage among Karnataka citizens, who have threatened to block the release of his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ in the state.

Refusing to apologize for his remarks on the Kannada language, Kamal Haasan filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking protection for the release of his film.

While hearing the petition, the High Court questioned him :

“On what basis have you claimed that the Kannada language originated from Tamil ? Are you a historian or a linguist ? On what grounds did you make a statement that hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka ? No language can be said to have originated from another. What sources or literature are you relying on to support this claim ?”

The High Court further stated that by refusing to apologize for his comments on the origin of the Kannada language, Kamal Haasan has deliberately created a controversial situation.

“No language can be said to have originated from another. The people of Karnataka have only asked for a simple apology from you. You have hurt their sentiments. No citizen has the right to hurt the feelings of others. Water, land, and language are deeply important to the people. In this country, states were reorganized on the basis of language.

If you are unwilling to apologize, then why should this film even be released in Karnataka ? Let it go. Freedom of expression cannot be used as a tool to hurt public sentiment. If you apologize, there will be no issue. You’re here to earn crores from Karnataka as well — you are here for commercial gain. A single apology could have resolved everything. Language is an emotional issue for people. You’ve said something that has wounded that emotion.”