Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday congratulated Chidananda S Naik, a doctor-turned-filmmaker from Mysuru, on winning the La Cinef Award for Best Short Film at Cannes for ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’.

"Heartiest congratulations @Chidanandasnaik for winning the La Cinef Award for Best Short Film at Cannes for ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’! As a proud Kannadiga, it's inspiring to see you bring Kannada folklore to the global stage. I am sure it will inspire many more to pursue their passion and achieve great heights," Siddaramaiah said on the social media platform X.

'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' is based on Kannada folk tale about an old woman who steals a rooster, and as a result of her action, the sun stops rising in the village.

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Bengaluru: Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Karnataka government announced its decision on the hijab issue out of fear of the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on May 16 organized by Federation of Karnataka Muslim Organisations.

Addressing a press conference at the JD(S) state office, GP Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Thursday, Kumaraswamy said he respects all religions and has expressed his views on the issue on several public platforms in the past.

Questioning the timing of the government’s move, he said the Congress has been in power for three years and had taken no decision on the hijab issue during that period.

He alleged that the decision was taken only because the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ is scheduled to be held at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16.

“If the government had the courage, it should have taken this decision immediately after coming to power. Why did it remain silent for three years?” he asked.

Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of making the announcement to appease a particular community.

He further said the matter is still pending before the courts and claimed that an interim order relating to the hijab issue remains in force.

According to him, issuing such an order before the legal proceedings are concluded amounts to disrespect towards the judiciary.

Kumaraswamy also alleged that the Congress brought the issue back into focus after the Davanagere by-election results.