Kamal Haasan: 'You may be Kamal Haasan, but you cannot hurt sentiments', High Court reprimands on Kannada controversy

South superstar Kamal Haasan has been reprimanded by the Karnataka High Court for making controversial remarks about the Kannada language. The court has said about Kamal Haasan 'You may be Kamal Haasan but you have no right to hurt anyone's feelings.'

What is the whole matter?

A big uproar has erupted during the hearing in the Karnataka High Court regarding Kamal Haasan's upcoming film 'Thug Life'. Actually, a recent controversial statement by the actor has spread tremendous resentment in the state. Now the Karnataka High Court has strongly criticized him on this issue and questioned his role. Let us tell you that during the promotion of the film Kamal Haasan had said that 'Kannada was born from the Tamil language'.

Strict comment of the High Court

During the hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna expressed displeasure over Kamal Haasan's statement and said that 'no citizen has the right to hurt public sentiments.' He further said that 'water, land and language, all three are related to the identity of every citizen. The partition of the country also happened based on language. The court termed Hassan's statement as insensitive and divisive.

'Are you a historian or a linguist?'

The judge asked in a stern tone, 'Do you have any historical proof of this claim? You have hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka by making such a statement. On what basis did you say this? Are you a historian? Or a linguist?' The court said that if only an apology had come, the matter would have been resolved there.

Petition regarding film release

Kamal Haasan had filed a petition in the court to ensure the release and screening of his film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. His lawyer argued that Haasan's statement was not intentional and his intention was not to hurt anyone's sentiments. But the court rejected his argument and said, 'If you do not apologize, then why should the film be released in Karnataka? Have you come only to earn money? Freedom of expression does not mean that you hurt public sentiments.'

Anger in political and social circles

Protests have intensified in Karnataka over Kamal Haasan's statement. Pro-Kannada organizations and political leaders have called it an attack on Kannada language and identity. Many people have demanded that until Kamal Haasan publicly apologizes, his film should not be shown in the state.

The hearing continues on the matter.

Although the court has not yet given its final decision on this petition, but Kamal Haasan has been suggested to consider that apologizing could be the better way. Now the next hearing will be held at 2:30 pm.