Film actor Sunny Leone, who is set to give her debut performance in Bengaluru, got veiled threats from pro-Kannada activists that unless the event gives prominence to Kannada culture, they will approach the home minister and the police commissioner and get the event cancelled. Earlier, the Kannada activists had announced that they would hold massive protests across the state demanding a complete ban on Leone.
However, they have now softened their stand and said that since Kannada Rajyotsava is celebrated in November, Kannada should be promoted. Hence, according to Praveen Shetty, president of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV), if Leone’s programme isn’t in Kannada, they will request the home minister and the police commissioner to cancel it. The organisers have already taken permission as a precautionary measure to avoid any clashes.
Earlier this year, the Siddaramaiah led Congress government in Karnataka had denied permission to Sunny Leone to perform at New Year’s Eve show in Bengaluru, fearing law and order problems. Even then, KRV had protested against her show claiming that her performance would be an ‘assault on Kannada culture and tradition and will corrupt young minds.’
Earlier this month, on Hindi Diwas, KRV activists had blackened Hindi signages on national highway, as a mark of protest against the so-called Hindi imposition by the Centre. In July this year KRV activists had stopped screening of Rajinikanth starrer Kaala against the superstar’s remarks on Cauvery.