Actor Kasthuri Shankar (File Photo)
Chennai:
Actor Kasthuri Shankar was on Saturday arrested in Hyderabad for her alleged offensive feedback in opposition to Telugu-speaking folks in Tamil Nadu.
The 50-year-old actor’s remarks at a gathering of the Hindu Makkal Katchi drew fireplace from BJP nationwide co-in cost of Tamil Nadu Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, who demanded an apology from her.
Her feedback hamper the cordial environment among the many folks of Tamil Nadu and had been in opposition to the precept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one household), the BJP chief instructed information company PTI.
Earlier, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, dismissing the actor’s anticipatory bail petition, stated that the assertion of the actor “hovers round hate speech”. It stated public personalities should at all times assume twice earlier than addressing such problem within the public platform.
The courtroom additionally dominated her apology “not real” and stated she solely tried to justify her speech and that it will possibly’t entertain apology getting used as an escape route after hate speech.
On November 6, the actor introduced that she has withdrawn all references to Telugus from her November 3 speech, including it was not her intention to “harm or offend my Telugu prolonged household”.
“I’m sorry for any inadvertent sick feeling. In the curiosity of all-round amity, I withdraw all references to Telugus in my speech delivered on November 3,” Ms Kasthuri had stated in a publish on X.
“I reiterate that my opinions had been contextually particular to sure people and never directed on the broader Telugu group. This controversy has sadly diverted consideration from the extra vital factors I raised in that speech,” she wrote.
The actor additionally shared that she had obtained quite a few threats within the days following her speech.
“A revered Telugu buddy of mine patiently defined the impression of my phrases on the complete Telugu inhabitants of Tamil Nadu and past,” she defined in her publish.
Ms Kasthuri added that she has at all times lived above caste and regional variations and feels lucky to have a particular connection to the Telugu group.
“I grew up admiring the wonderful days of the Nayak kings, Kattabomman Nayaka, and singing Tyagaraja kritis. I cherish my movie profession in Telugu cinema. Telugu folks have given me a reputation, fame, love, and a household,” she stated.