“Mental Patient”: BJP’s R Ashoka Tears Into Kamal Haasan Over Kannada Origin Claim

Bengaluru: In a rare display of political unity, both the ruling Congress and the BJP-led Opposition in Karnataka have strongly criticised actor Kamal Haasan for his recent remarks about the Kannada language, made during a film promotional event in Chennai.

Haasan, while speaking at the event, claimed that Kannada originated from Tamil, a statement that has triggered widespread backlash.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was among the first to react. “Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it,” he said, dismissing the actor’s assertion.

The comment did not sit well with the BJP either. Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka lashed out at Haasan, calling him a “mental patient.” He added, “I would urge the government that it should boycott all Kamal Haasan’s films in Karnataka, otherwise he will keep acting like a mental patient.”

Several pro-Kannada groups and cultural activists also expressed outrage, demanding either a clarification or an apology from the actor, accusing him of undermining the cultural and linguistic identity of Karnataka.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his disapproval, calling the actor’s comment “uncultured behaviour.” He wrote, “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 actor, who is set to contest for a Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu with DMK’s backing, has made similar remarks in the past. In another promotional event for his film Thug Life, Haasan said, “It is our first responsibility to make sure that our language doesn’t become extinct. Imagine having the courage to come here and say this. We are all Dravidians, don’t forget .. . we offer our family, ‘Thug Life’.”

He also stated, “People should first learn the language of the neighbouring state. We can worry about Hindi later.”

Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad also weighed in on the controversy, terming Haasan’s remarks “unwarranted and unnecessary.” He said, “Kamal is no authority to make statements on Kannada and Tamil. We are not insecure or bothered about what Kamal Haasan says. At best, he could unite people. But his statement is unnecessarily creating differences amongst Kannadigas and Tamilians, which is unfortunate and which should not happen.”