Kamal Haasan Sparks Another Controversy With Statement On Hindi 'Imposition'

Amidst the ongoing Kannada and Tamil language controversy, actor Kamal Haasan has shared his thoughts on the imposition of Hindi in southern India. His film 'Thug Life' faced release issues in Karnataka due to his comments about the origins of the Kannada language. Kamal Haasan had claimed that Kannada originated from Tamil, leading to demands for an apology, which he refused.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) stated that 'Thug Life' would not be released in the state unless Kamal Haasan apologised for his remarks. In response, Rajkamal Films International, Haasan's production company, filed a petition with the Karnataka High Court seeking protection for the film's release. The court criticised Haasan for not apologising and upheld the decision to block the film's release in Karnataka.

Kamal Haasan's Views on Hindi Language

Kamal Haasan referred to his 1981 Hindi film 'Main Ek Duje Ke Liye' while discussing the imposition of Hindi. He stated, "We will learn Hindi without imposition because it is education after all and we should adopt a good path for education. But not put obstacles in its way. I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra. This is not the only place that is opposing the imposition of Hindi," he said on Sunday.

Haasan further emphasised the importance of English as a global language for success. He remarked that learning languages like Spanish or Chinese could be beneficial but highlighted India's long-standing English education system. "You unnecessarily make a lot of people illiterate, especially in Tamil Nadu," he added, referring to sudden changes in language policies.

Controversy Surrounding Language Imposition

Haasan expressed concerns about forcing people to speak Hindi and questioned what happens to promises made regarding regional languages. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu residents might feel excluded if they are told they won't find jobs beyond Vindhya without speaking Hindi. "What about my language? Am I not one of the 22 (official languages)? These are the questions that are coming up," he said.