The Hindu : Karnataka News : Rajnikant clarifies, agitation withdrawn

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Rajnikant clarifies, agitation withdrawn

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Kannada Sene and Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha have decided to withdraw their agitation against the release of Rajnikant film Kuselan following the actor’s statement in Hyderabad clarifying his position on the issue.

The film is slated for release on Friday in 21 cinemas — 17 of them in Bangalore — in the State.

Kannada activists were up in arms against the Tamil superstar’s remark in the wake of the Hogenakkal issue that is a bugbear in Tamil Nadu-Karnataka relations. They relented after Rajnikant clarified his stance.

In a statement to television channels in Hyderabad, he said his remark was targeted at lumpen elements and not Kannadigas and pro-Kannada groups fighting for the cause of the language. “It was a mistake. I have learnt a big lesson. What’s important is that the mistake is not repeated. I will be careful while speaking in future and see that I don’t hurt anybody… I have not forgotten that I was a [bus] conductor [in Bangalore at one time]’.”

Activists relent

Kannada Chaluvali leader and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj and others told The Hindu here on Thursday night: “We are convinced by his apology. We have no personal animosity against Mr. Rajnikant but we cannot tolerate any undue and unsavoury remarks against Kannada and Kannada-speaking people by anyone. We have decided to permit the screening on condition that Mr. Rajnikant or any Tamil actor not to interfere in the Hogenakkal issue in future.”

The Kannada organisations had earlier been insisting that the actor personally come to Bangalore and apologise.

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