Kannada chauvinists try to ignite fire over water now
With protesters in Karnataka keeping up their attack on Tamil Nadu over the Hogenakkal controversy, fears of tensions escalating seem to be real.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: With protesters in Karnataka keeping up their attack on Tamil Nadu over the Hogenakkal controversy, fears of tensions escalating seem to be real. The Kannada Rakshana Vedike, which has managed to give a chauvinist colour to the row, on Monday demanded an apology from superstar Rajnikanth for participating in the protest meet organised by the Tamil film industry. The film star���s attempts to calm tempers did not have any impact with the Vedike threatening to disrupt exhibition of Rajnikanth starrers in Karnataka.
The Congress leadership was hoping that the retreat made by Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi will help it douse the fires in the run up to the assembly polls. The Tamil Nadu chief minister is also coming under pressure to demonstrate that he has not surrendered his state���s interests.
On his part, Rajnikanth on Monday tried to soothe frayed nerves of the Vedike activists by asserting that he did not speak out against Karnataka. ���It is a malicious propaganda unleashed against me by some people. I am not an unwise person to pass remarks that offend the sentiments of the people of Karnataka,��� he said. He explained that during the fast by members of the Tamil film industry association in Chennai last week, he had only criticised those who were creating trouble saying that such people be ���kicked���.
His clarifications came during an interview to a private Kannada news channel. The actor appeared upset by the storm created by his remarks, which included a demand for his apology. ���Do these people who are demanding my apology represent 5.5 crore Kannadigas? I haven���t done any wrong. But I am not averse to tendering an apology if I committed any wrong,��� he said.
The latest controversy has erupted even after Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi���s announcement on Saturday that the Hogenakkal drinking water project will be put on hold till elections in Karnataka are over.
Even in 2002, Rajinikanth became the target of attack after he refused to participate in the Tamil film industry`s rally on the Cauvery issue. He then went on a much-publicised fast asking for a peaceful settlement and interlinking rivers.
The Congress leadership was hoping that the retreat made by Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi will help it douse the fires in the run up to the assembly polls. The Tamil Nadu chief minister is also coming under pressure to demonstrate that he has not surrendered his state���s interests.
On his part, Rajnikanth on Monday tried to soothe frayed nerves of the Vedike activists by asserting that he did not speak out against Karnataka. ���It is a malicious propaganda unleashed against me by some people. I am not an unwise person to pass remarks that offend the sentiments of the people of Karnataka,��� he said. He explained that during the fast by members of the Tamil film industry association in Chennai last week, he had only criticised those who were creating trouble saying that such people be ���kicked���.
His clarifications came during an interview to a private Kannada news channel. The actor appeared upset by the storm created by his remarks, which included a demand for his apology. ���Do these people who are demanding my apology represent 5.5 crore Kannadigas? I haven���t done any wrong. But I am not averse to tendering an apology if I committed any wrong,��� he said.
The latest controversy has erupted even after Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi���s announcement on Saturday that the Hogenakkal drinking water project will be put on hold till elections in Karnataka are over.
Even in 2002, Rajinikanth became the target of attack after he refused to participate in the Tamil film industry`s rally on the Cauvery issue. He then went on a much-publicised fast asking for a peaceful settlement and interlinking rivers.
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