Bengaluru: The Hindi vs Kannada language controversy is once again raising its head in Karnataka in the backdrop of allegations of imposition of Hindi by actress-turned-politician Ramya and misbehavior with dancer and choreographer Salman Yusuf. Khan was accosted by an officer at the Bangalore airport for not knowing Kannada. Both the incidents triggered a ‘Kannada vs Hindi’ debate on social media. A video of an auto driver asking a passenger in Bengaluru why he should speak to a passenger in Hindi has also gone viral and sparked a debate. In the video, the auto driver is seen refusing to speak to the passenger in Hindi while the woman requests him to speak in Hindi. However, he continues to speak to her in English. He says in Kannada, “Why should I speak in Hindi? You are in Karnataka, first you should speak in Kannada.” After an argument, the woman gets off the auto and walks away. This video has also gone viral on social media.
Kannada actress-turned-Congress leader Ramya, also known as Divyaspandana, had stirred a controversy by saying that India is not just about Hindi and Bollywood.
Ramya said: “I am really happy that ‘Naatu Naatu’ was screened in Telugu – with time the world knows that India is not just Hindi. India is not just Bollywood. Stereotyping is lazy thinking.”
I am also very happy that Naatu Naatu was performed in Telugu – it is time the world knew that India is a diverse country of different cultures and languages. India is not just Hindi. India is not just Bollywood. Stereotyping is lazy thinking. https://t.co/fGPhAMwkzX— Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) March 13, 2023
Dancer and choreographer Salman Yusuf Khan was insulted by an immigration officer at the Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Wednesday for not knowing Kannada language.
Khan has alleged that the officer questioned him and used a “threatening tone” for not knowing Kannada language despite being born in Bengaluru.
Khan said, “I am proud to be a Bangalorean. But, what I have faced today is unacceptable. You should always encourage people to learn any local language, but they should not be punished for not knowing it.” Shouldn’t be insulting. And you shouldn’t be taking your parents’ names in this.” Wrote on his social media account.
The dancer had challenged him and finally said, “It is good that I have got to represent my city and win the national award, that I have to prove myself in front of these brats at the Bengaluru airport. ”
The incident has sparked controversy and Khan is getting support from many people.