Times of India
Bangalore, Apr 1: Kannada activists forcefully stopped screening of Tamil films in the city and demanded a ban on Tamil cable channels here on Monday.
The Kannada groups, led by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, were protesting against Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi’s remarks on Sunday. At the inauguration of a flyover in Chennai, Karunanidhi had warned Karnataka against putting hurdles in the Hogenakkal water project and said that his patience was running out.
The theatres that were forced to stop screening were Nataraj in Seshadripuram, Aruna in Srirampura, Sri Balaji in Honnarpet, Lavanya in Ulsoor and Poornima near Lalbagh.
The protesters who came in four-wheelers and on bikes threatened the theatre staff and forcefully evacuated the audience. Sensing trouble, most of the theatre managements voluntarily pulled the curtains down announcing their support for the agitation.
Meanwhile, two buses of Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation were stoned at K R Market area, but there was not much damage. The police on duty dispersed the mob.
“A few minor incidents have been reported, but there is nothing to fear about. Security will be intensified. We will not allow anyone to take law into their hands,’’ the police said. Vedike president Narayan Gowda said the agitation will be intensified further. “As a first step, we will ban all Tamil movies and television channels. We have asked the cable operators to stop telecasting Tamil programmes. If Tamil Nadu goes ahead with the project, we will stop bus and train services between the two states,’’ he said.
In the afternoon, the Tamil Sangam in Ulsoor was attacked and the name board and banners were smashed. The president of the association, Shanmugha Sundar, who had a narrow escape, said: “About 20 men came in cars and barged into my chamber. They removed the notices from the board and started abusing me. We have no clue why they took out their anger on us. We are a cultural organisation and have no links with the issues which are politicised.’’ He said the Sangam will lodge a complaint at the Bharathinagar police station.
The police have beefed up security at the JP Nagar residence of Selvi, daughter of TN CM Karunanidhi, anticipating trouble. Five months ago, her house was attacked after her father commented on the epic Ramayana. “Ever since the last incident, Selvi has been provided with security cover.