DK Shivakumar urges Kannada groups to stay calm, says Kamal Haasan will abide by court order
Bengaluru, Jun 3 (PTI): Expressing confidence that actor Kamal Haasan would abide by the court's decision, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday appealed to Kannada organisations not to stage protests in front of theatres and create a law and order situation.
Haasan starrer 'Thug life' will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the much-anticipated movie, its producers informed the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday.
"The Court would have considered all aspects before asking Kamal Haasan to apologise. I discussed with many litterateurs and experts, according to whom Kannada and Tamil are sister Dravidian languages. I am confident that Kamal Haasan will abide by the Court's order," he told reporters here while responding to a question related to the controversy surrounding the actor's language remarks.
During the court hearing, filmmaker Haasan came in for strong criticism from the court for his remark suggesting that "Kannada was born out of Tamil," and the court observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation."
The petition was filed following widespread protest against the actor's recent remarks regarding Kannada language and a demand for his apology.
Responding to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's comment that the Congress government in Karnataka was going soft on the actor as DMK was an alliance partner, Shivakumar said, "BJP is a party which follows divide and rule policy. Congress is a party which rules by uniting. Both needle and scissors are products of iron, but one sews and the other cuts. Congress is the needle."
Urging people not to take law into their hands, he said, "We can't afford to create tension between two states, we need to remember that a large number of people travel to and from Tamil Nadu on a daily basis. I am confident that Kamal Haasan will respect the Court's decision.
I appeal to Kannada organisations not to protest in front of the theatres creating law and order situation."
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K'taka remains central to Aequs' strategy, says min Patil amid row over firm's investment in TN
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil on Monday asserted that Aequs continues to expand in the state and that its proposed investment in neighbouring Tamil Nadu was a business decision aimed at diversification, not a shift away from Karnataka.
Reacting to criticism on social media over reports that the Karnataka-based firm had signed a major investment deal in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district for setting up a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster, he said the state government was fully aware of the company's plans and remained confident about its long-term commitment to Karnataka.
"While we welcome every major investment in India, would like to clarify a few points," Patil said in a post on 'X'.
Aequs was significantly expanding its footprint within Karnataka, including a Rs 3,000 crore investment in Kolar for electronics manufacturing.
"Its recently approved Rs 1,500 crore ECMS project will also be grounded in the state. Karnataka remains central to its long-term strategy," he said.
Patil added that the government had prior knowledge of the TN proposal.
The government was already informed and aware that the TN investment is a business decision aimed at geographic diversification and de-risking operations, not a shift away from Karnataka.
"Healthy competition between states strengthens India's manufacturing ecosystem," he said.
Emphasising the state's focus on high-technology sectors, Patil said, "We remain committed to deepening Karnataka's leadership in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and our engagement with industry partners is strong and ongoing."
The Aequs Group has pledged Rs 4,000 crore to bolster Tamil Nadu's aerospace manufacturing capabilities at the SIPCOT-Shoolagiri Industrial Park in Krishnagiri district.
The group proposes to establish a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster for the production of aircraft engines, gearbox components, and precision engineering parts. This initiative is expected to provide employment to 7,000 individuals.
