Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) is going on a hunger strike to protest against "violence on Tamil people in Karnataka" and the banning of their films in that state over the Hogenakkal Fall Water Project.
The council had on Tuesday urged superstar Rajnikanth to take part in the fast and show his support. The TFPC issued a diktat saying that Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth, should take part in the Unnavirutham (hunger strike) and show his sympathy with the Tamil film industry.
Even though it is a catch-22 situation for the superstar — who had lived in Karnataka before moving into Tamil films — Rajinikanth has decided to join the rest of the film industry in the fast.
“The Cauvery dispute has taken too much trouble for the people and has to be resolved. I ask what his happening in the country. People should not resort to violence. I urge Yedurappa and all other leaders in Karnataka not to use Cauvery issue for the election game,” Rajinikanth said.
The actor was in Hyderabad shooting for a film, but has now reached the venue to show his solidarity and to take part in the fast.
This is a change in stance for the superstar who had not participated in a similar protest in 2002 on the Cauvery water dispute. He had conducted his own fast near Marina Beach the day after the official fast.
Among actors of Karnataka-origin working in the Tamil industry who are participating in the strike are Arjun, Prakash Raj, Prabhu Deva and his brother Raju Sundaram.
Actor Sarath Kumar, the President of Nadigar Sangam (Film Artistes Association), has urged all actors and technicians in the industry to join them in the fast.
"Even the artist, producers, directors who are by birth or by language from Karnataka, will have to attend and be part of the hunger strike," said Sarath Kumar.
He also added that failure to attend the hunger strike would lead to non-cooperation from the Tamil film industry.
Tamil film star, S Prabhu however, made it clear that the Tamil film fraternity was not against the people of Karnataka, but wanted to show togetherness. He said that they were simply protesting the violence against Tamils in Karnataka, the fact that no cinemas were being allowed to show Tamil movies and the black out of Tamil channels on cable television in that state.
Actor Surya added, "The film fraternity and theatres are being targetted unnecessarily. There is a Supreme Court and other senior leaders to assess such situations and give judgements."
Meanwhile, the Kannada film industry is retaliating and are holding a dharna (strike) of their own at the town hall in Bangalore.
The Issue At Hand
Tamil Nadu is adamant on building a drinking water project over the Hogennakal water fall on River Cauvery.
At Hogennakal, the Cauvery forms a series of water falls that form the exact boundary between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — so the waterfall on one side belongs to Karnataka, and on the other side to Tamil Nadu. That is what makes the entire situation extremely sensitive.
While Tamil Nadu claims both states agree to its project in 1998, sources in Karnataka irrigation department say the projects were only mentioned in a meeting. No study was done or agreement signed.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
