NEW DELHI: The Codava National Council has urged Union home minister Amit Shah and Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara to ensure the safety of actress Rashmika Mandanna after state-ruling Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda (Ganiga) and Kannada activist TA Narayana Gowda targeted her for identifying herself as “being from Hyderabad rather than Karnataka.”
In a letter to the ministers, CNC president N U Nachappa accused the MLA that Rashmika is being “bullied and intimidated by a legislator,” also calling it an act of “hooliganism” against a member of the Indigenous Codava tribal race.
Nachappa also highlighted Rashmika’s achievements in the Indian film industry, where she has worked with actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, crediting her success to hard work and talent. He stressed that she has the right to make personal choices without coercion.
“The CNC emphasises that Rashmika’s freedom to make her own choices should be respected and that she should not be forced to comply with the whims of the legislature. The council also highlights that the legislator’s actions reflect Codava phobia, as they are targeting Rashmika solely because of her community,” he said.
Nachappa further stated that the MLA’s actions contradict the constitutional duty to protect people rather than harass them. “It is ironic that the people of Mandya, who heavily rely on the Cauvery River, have an MLA who is bullying Rashmika Mandanna, the beloved daughter of Mother Cauvery and a renowned actress from the region,” he said.
Mandya MLA Ganiga recently stated that Rashmika, who hails from Kodagu district in Karnataka, “should be taught a lesson” for identifying herself with Hyderabad.
“Rashmika Mandanna began her career in Karnataka with her debut in the Kannada film ‘Kirik Party’ (2016). The last time she was invited to a film festival, she said that she resides in Hyderabad,” Ganiga told reporters.
He alleged that the actress claimed she did not know where Karnataka was and declined an invitation to the festival, citing a lack of time.
“One of our MLAs visited her home and invited her multiple times, but she spoke rudely about Kannada despite growing up in Kannada land. Shouldn’t she be taught a lesson?” he claimed.
The CNC has called for government intervention, urging authorities to ensure Rashmika’s safety and protect her rights.
