Apology doesn't make anyone smaller, arrogance won't make anyone greater: Yediyurappa to Kamal
Bengaluru: Slamming actor Kamal Haasan for "speaking insensitively" about the Kannada language, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday said that he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas.
The former Chief Minister said, apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater.
Actor-politician Haasan's recent statement claiming that "Kannada was born out of Tamil" during a promotional event for his upcoming film 'Thug Life' has sparked widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations.
Taking to 'X', Yediyurappa said, 'Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal' is not just the rallying cry of Kannadigas, "but it is also the pledge of Kannadigas towards mother Bhuvaneshwari, the deity of Kannada".
"Many senior linguistic experts have demonstrated that Kannada did not originate from any specific language. It is deeply regrettable and condemnable that artist Kamal Haasan, who is neither a historian nor a linguistic expert, has spoken insensitively about the Kannada language," he added.
"His behavior, which unnecessarily disrupts peace, harmony, and unity, is not right. In the fervor of expressing his opinion, he has hurt the sentiments of crores of Kannadigas, and he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas. Apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater!" he said.
Haasan had recently declined to apologise and said he believed in law and justice and his love for Karnataka was true.
Raajkamal Films International, Chennai, the producers of Kamal Haasan-starrer movie 'Thug Life,' on Monday filed a petition before the Karnataka high court, requesting protection to ensure the smooth release of film 'Thug Life' in the state.
The move comes in response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce's (KFCC) recent announcement that it would not permit the screening of the film in Karnataka unless Haasan issues a public apology for his comment suggesting that 'Kannada evolved from Tamil'.
The film, scheduled to hit theatres on June 5.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
