Popular actress Rashmika Mandanna has found herself at the centre of a political controversy in Karnataka after her absence from the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFF) sparked backlash from Congress leaders. The situation escalated when Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Gariga criticized Mandanna for allegedly refusing to attend the festival, leading to the Kodava community showcasing their support the actress since she belongs to the community.
Rashmika Mandanna receives support from Kodava community as they demand security for actress amid political controversy
NU Nachappa, Chairperson of the Kodava National Council, has urged the Karnataka state government to provide security to Rashmika Mandanna, citing threats against her from political figures. He condemned the statements made by Congress leaders, asserting that they were targeting her unfairly. Nachappa emphasized that Mandanna, a proud Kodava from Coorg, has brought national recognition to the community and should not be subjected to political intimidation.
“I urge the Karnataka government, on behalf of the community, to provide security to Rashmika, as there might be protests targeting her when she visits home. He expressed the fear that no less a person that DK Shivakumar had expressed his ire against the celebrities from Karnataka, and there could be “attempts to teach her a lesson”. The majority Kannada language state of Karnataka is bullying us, a micro minority community of Codavas, a martial race, which had a separate state before merging with the state in 1956,” he was quoted saying in The Statesman.
The controversy erupted when MLA Ravi Kumar Gariga claimed that Rashmika Mandanna had dismissed the invitation to the film festival, allegedly stating that she resides in Hyderabad and has no connection with Karnataka. The statement has triggered outrage among the Codava community, who view it as an attempt to single out their prominent cultural figure.
Adding to the tensions, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed dissatisfaction with several Kannada-origin actors skipping the festival. In a veiled warning, he remarked that the government “knew how to handle such people.” This has only intensified the Kodava community’s concerns, with many interpreting the remarks as a sign of undue pressure on Mandanna.
In response, the Kodava National Council has rallied in support of the actress, demanding that the government ensure her safety. They argue that the attacks on her are symbolic of the marginalization of the Kodava people and have vowed to stand by her against any political vendetta. As the controversy unfolds, the spotlight remains on Rashmika Mandanna, who has yet to make a public statement regarding the issue.
Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna Creates HISTORY! Becomes The ONLY Actress with 3 Rs. 500 crore Blockbusters!
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