Why Was Shivaraj Kumar Silent? Netizens Slam Shivanna As Kamal Haasan Claims 'Kannada Born Out Of Tamil'

Kannada actor Shivaraj Kumar has come under attack from a section of netizens for keeping quiet while Kamal Haasan claimed that Kannada was "born out of Tamil". Netizens are asking why he remained silent when the Tamil actor made those controversial comments in Chennai.

What Did Kamal Haasan Say?

Speaking at a promotional event of Thug Life, Kamal Haasan started off his speech with the phrase "Uyire Urave Tamizhe", meaning "my life and my family is Tamil language". Thanking Shivaraj Kumar, he stated, "This is my family in that place. That's why he (Shivarajkumar) has come here. That's why I began my speech saying life, relationship and Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included (part of it)."

His comments that Kannada was born out of Tamil have triggered a major controversy. Many are targeting Shivaraj Kumar for remaining silent, as Kamal has made those claims.

One user said, "Shivarajkumar's true face. He doesn't have the same admiration for Tamil as he does for Kannada."

The second user said, "Day by day @NimmaShivanna is acting like weak senile and even promoting 3 tier actors of Telugu and Tamil industry. I don't know how his fans defend this Cuckery."

"Shivaraj Kumar is smiling without a shame as Kamal Haasan boast about Tamil while insulting Kannada," an angry netizen attacks the Kannada actor.

Seeking an apology from Shivanna, one netizen commented, "As the son of legendary Dr. Rajkumar, Shiva Rajkumar should consider apologizing to the Kannada people for reportedly not taking a bath for 4 days after hugging Kamal Haasan, citing certain traditional or cultural reasons."

Many have criticised Kamal Haasan. One user said, "Could someone send this to #KamalHaasan. How can someone be so poorly educated about such an important subject. KANNADA IS NOT DERIVED FROM TAMIL! Both #Kannada and Tamil came from Proto-Dravidian language, they branched and became seperate languages."

Karnataka BJP Slams Kamal

Karnataka State BJP chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa called Kamal's behaviour "uncultured" and accused him of insulting Kannada.

"One should love one's mother tongue, but showing disrespect in its name is uncultured behavior. Especially artists should have the culture of respecting every language. It is the height of arrogance and arrogance that an actor @ikamalhaasan who has acted in many Indian languages, including Kannada, has insulted Kannada by including actor Shivarajkumar in the glorification of his Tamil language," the son of the former CM BS Yediyurappa said.

The BJP leader said that Kamal has forgotten the generosity shown by Kannadigas and wrote, "Kamal Haasan, who is supposed to bring harmony to South India, has been continuously insulting Hinduism and hurting religious sentiments for the past few years. Now, he has insulted Kannada by hurting the self-respect of 6.5 crore Kannadigas. Kamal Haasan should immediately apologize unconditionally to Kannadigas," .