The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday slammed actor Kamal Haasan for his recent comment that "Kannada was born out of Tamil.".Single-judge Justice M Nagaprasanna said that Haasan's comment has hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas and that the actor should apologise to diffuse the situation."No citizen has right to hurt sentiments. Jala, Nila, Bashe - these three things are important to citizens....Language is a sentiment attached to a particular people. You have said something to undermine that," the Court stated.It further asked Haasan whether he was a historian or a linguist to make a statement like that."If a public figure makes a statement like this. No language can be born out of another - where is the material? And what has happened - disharmony. And what have people of Karnataka asked? (Only) an apology. The circumstances were created by Kamal Haasan, and he has said he won't apologise? You have undermined the sentiments of the people of Karnataka... On what basis? Are you a historian or a linguist?" the Court demanded..You have undermined sentiments of the people of Karnataka. Are you a historian or a linguist?Karnataka High Court.The Court was hearing a plea seeking directions to ensure that the Kamal Haasan-starrer Kollywood film "Thug Life" be allowed to be screened in Karnataka without any disturbance.The plea was filed by movie's co-producer Raajkamal Films International (petitioner) which was founded by Kamal Hasaan, after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce's (KFCC) recent decision to boycott the movie, which is slated for release on June 5.The decision to 'ban' screenings of the film in Karnataka followed after Haasan reportedly commented that "Kannada was born out of Tamil" during a promotional event at Chennai.The alleged comment prompted the KFCC - a society representing film producers, film distributors and film exhibitors and which works to promote the film industry in Karnataka as well as Kannada, Konkani, Tulu, Kodava culture - to declare that the film will not be screened in Karnataka unless Haasan apologises for his remark..Raajkamal Films International then filed the present plea before the High Court, citing concerns that film screenings in Karnataka will not be permitted for Thug Life.Raajkamal Films argued that Haasan's statement was misquoted and taken out of context, and that his remarks were meant to express love and camaraderie between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It sought directions from the Court to restrain any party (include State authorities and the KFCC) from taking any measure that would restrain or restrict Thug Life's screening in Karnataka;The petitioner also prayed that directions be issued to the State authorities to take steps to extend necessary security to the film's director, producers, cast and others associated with the making of the film, as well as those screening the film, movie goers and the public at large, to ensure the uninterrupted exhibition of the film from June 5..The petitioner added that the comment was part of a larger statement, made while addressing Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, who too clarified that Haasan has always spoken highly of Kannada.Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Haasan's production company, said that the statement was not meant to offend anyone and it was not drastically wrong.However, the Court remarked that one apology from Haasan would have solved everything."Now you are here for a commercial interest, that police should protect for a situation created by you! One apology would have solved everything. In law, we will consider. But look at the attitude," Justice Nagaprasanna said..The Court added that freedom of expression does not extend to hurting the sentiments of the masses."Why do you want the film to run in Karnataka (if you won't apologise)? Leave it. Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurting the sentiments of a mass. You apologise, then no problem. You want to earn some crores from Karnataka also. You (Kamal Haasan) are not an ordinary man ... Even ordinary people (are facing cases for these kind of statements). You admit your statement and you say that you will not apologise," the Court remarked.The Court eventually said that it will hear the matter at 2.30 pm today and pass an order. It added that it would pass an order as required by the law, but urged the petitioner's counsel to advice Hasaan on whether he wants to apologise. "We will pass an order on whether he is entitled to protection or not. We can take it at 2.30. I can pass an order. A person creates circumstances, it creates unrest. He should be aware of it ... Think about it. Use your good office (to advice the petitioner) ... If you still want to stick to your guns, we will answer it. I will take it at 2.30," the Court remarked..[Read Live Coverage]
