Kamal Haasan's Linguistic Claim on Kannada Sparks Political Row
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan ignited controversy by stating at a Chennai event that the Kannada language "was born out of Tamil." This remark has drawn sharp criticism in Karnataka, with the BJP and pro-Kannada organizations condemning his statement as divisive and historically inaccurate. They have demanded an unconditional apology from Haasan, highlighting the sensitive nature of linguistic identity and its political ramifications in the region.
Unpacked:
Kannada and Tamil are both Dravidian languages but developed as separate branches. They share some ancient roots and vocabulary but evolved independently for over 2,000 years. Linguists do not consider Kannada to have been 'born out of' Tamil, but rather both languages stem from a common proto-Dravidian ancestor.
Kamal Haasan made the remark during the audio launch of his film 'Thug Life' in Chennai, addressing Kannada actor Shivarajkumar. His comment appeared to emphasize cultural and linguistic closeness, but it was interpreted as placing Tamil above Kannada, leading to backlash in Karnataka.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and BJP leaders condemned Haasan's statement, calling it disrespectful and historically ignorant. They demanded an unconditional apology, emphasizing Kannada's rich, independent heritage and warning against divisive rhetoric in a linguistically sensitive region.
Linguistic controversies in southern India often heighten regional pride and can fuel inter-state tensions. They may impact electoral politics, influence cultural policies, and affect relationships between neighboring states, especially where language is closely tied to identity and political mobilization.