Today, On 3rd June, Karnataka High Court criticises Kamal Haasan over controversial remarks, reminding him of responsible speech. The court said, “Don’t use right to speech to hurt sentiments,” stressing that freedom comes with duties in a diverse society.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has cautioned Tamil Nadu actor and politician Kamal Haasan against misusing his right to free speech in a way that could offend people’s sentiments.
The court urged him to retract his statement that the Kannada language was “born out of Tamil,” which has caused controversy.
Single-judge Justice M. Nagaprasanna remarked that Haasan’s comment has offended the sentiments of Kannadigas and urged the actor to apologize to alleviate the situation.
The Court stated,
“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 further questioned Haasan on whether he considered himself a historian or a linguist to make such a statement.
The Court demanded,
“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 Karnataka High Court was hearing a plea seeking to ensure that the Kamal Haasan-starring film “Thug Life” could be screened in Karnataka without disruption.
This petition was filed by Raajkamal Films International, co-produced by Haasan, following the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s (KFCC) recent decision to boycott the movie, set to release on June 5.
The KFCC’s decision to ‘ban’ the film screenings in Karnataka came after Haasan allegedly stated that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” during a promotional event in Chennai. This comment led the KFCC, which represents film producers, distributors, and exhibitors in Karnataka, to announce that the film would not be screened unless Haasan issued an apology.
Raajkamal Films International subsequently filed the plea, expressing concerns that screenings for “Thug Life” would be prohibited in Karnataka. The petitioner argued that Haasan’s statement was misquoted and taken out of context, intended to convey affection and unity between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
They sought the Court’s direction to prevent any party, including state authorities and the KFCC, from imposing restrictions on the film’s screening in Karnataka.
Additionally, they requested that the Court order state authorities to ensure necessary security for the film’s director, producers, cast, and all associated individuals, as well as for audiences and the public, to enable uninterrupted exhibition of the film starting June 5.
The petitioner noted that the comment was part of a broader statement made while addressing Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, who also clarified that Haasan has consistently spoken highly of Kannada.
Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing Haasan’s production company, argued that the statement was not intended to offend and was not fundamentally incorrect.
However, the Court remarked that a simple apology from Haasan would have resolved the issue.
Justice Nagaprasanna stated,
“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,”
The Court emphasized that freedom of expression does not permit one to hurt the sentiments of the public.
The Court remarked,
“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 kinds of statements). You admit your statement and you say that you will not apologise,”
The Court then stated that it would hear the matter at 2:30 PM today and issue a ruling. It indicated that it would make a decision as required by law but urged the petitioner’s counsel to advise Haasan on whether he wishes to apologize.
Adding the remark,
“Use your good office and come back, all is well that ends well. I will take it at 2.30 pm.”
The Court said,
“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 advise the petitioner) … If you still want to stick to your guns, we will answer it. I will take it at 2:30,”
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