Bengaluru: Despite actors Ajay Devgn and Kichcha Sudeep having cleared the misunderstanding on a linguistic row, the pro-Kannada outfits protested against Devgn who had claimed that Hindi is a national language.
The activists raised slogans against Devgn while backing Sudeep who said Hindi is not the national language. They were detained by the police following the protests.
Devgn ignited a controversy by expressing his displeasure over Sudeep's statement on Hindi not being national language amid pan-India success of Kannada movie KGF: Chapter 2.
Soon after the tug-of-war between the actors was politicised. Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said Hindi was never and will never be India's national language.
"Hindi was never & will never be our National Language ...," he tweeted. Siddaramaiah said every Indian should respect the linguistic diversity of the country and he is proud to be a Kannadiga. "It is the duty of every Indian to respect the linguistic diversity of our Country. Each language has its own rich history for its people to be proud of. I am proud to be a Kannadiga!!" he added.
Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy stated that Sudeep was right in stating that Hindi was not the national language and accused Ajay of 'ludicrous behaviour'.
Yesterday, Devgn asked Sudeep if he felt Hindi was not India's national language, then why does he release films in Hindi.
In a recent interview, Sudeep had said Hindi is no longer the national language while talking about the success of pan-India films like KGF Chapter 2, Pushpa and RRR.
"You said a pan India film was made in Kannada. I'd like to make a small correction. Hindi is no more a national language. They (Bollywood) are doing pan-India films today. They are struggling (to find success) by dubbing in Telugu and Tamil, but it's not happening. Today we are making films that are going everywhere,” he reportedly said.
Devgn tweeted in Hindi, “@KicchaSudeep, brother, if Hindi is not our national language according to you, then why do you release films made in your mother tongue dubbed in Hindi? Hindi is our mother tongue and our national language, and it will always be. Jana Gana Mana.”
Sudeep then shot back, arguing that his tweet was taken out of context and he had no intentions of provoking anyone. "I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest, as I said the line in a totally different context. Mch luv and wshs to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon," he tweeted.
"And sir @ajaydevgn,, I did understand the txt you sent in hindi. Tats only coz we all have respected,loved and learnt hindi. No offense sir, but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in kannada.!! Don't we too belong to India sir," he further tweeted.
Other actors also joined the debate. Actor and Lok Sabha member Ramya expressed her disappointment over Devgn's ignorance, while filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma backed Sudeep in the debate. (UNI)
