Bengaluru: Over claims of disrespect for Karnataka, popular actress Rashmika Mandanna has been under attack from Kannada groups and activists. The Kodava National Council has responded by looking for her protection and pushing authorities to guarantee her safety.
Emphasizing the mental suffering Rashmika suffers, Council President N.U. Nachappa has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara The letter underlined that Rashmika, a loyal Kodava community member from Kodagu, deserves less criticism as she has succeeded in the Indian film business by diligence.
The debate started when Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga said Rashmika had skipped the Karnataka government-organized International Film Festival. He claimed she said she lives in Hyderabad and does not recognize Karnataka. After his comments, some Kannada groups requested the actress to apologize.
Arguing for Rashmika, the Kodava National Council labelled the criticism as an attack on the Kodava people. The letter expressed dismay at an elected official aiming at Rashmika, labeling her symbolically the “daughter of Goddess Cauvery” because of her Kodagu background. It underlined even more that pushing her to act against her will equates to “Kodava phobia.”
As the matter gathered steam, the council asked authorities to act against individuals mistreating Rashmika, stressing that personal decisions and liberties have to be honored.
