Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 13: The Codava National Council (CNC) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Women’s Commission (NCW) against Ravikumar Ganiga, a Congress MLA from Karnataka, over his controversial remarks about popular actress Rashmika Mandanna.
The CNC has called for stringent action against the MLA for his behaviour, which they argue was an attempt to intimidate and harass the actress.
N U Nachappa, the president of the CNC, wrote to NCW chairperson Vijaya K Rahatkar urging the Commission to act swiftly against Ganiga. The complaint highlights the MLA’s use of Kannada language chauvinism and ethnic hegemony in his comments about Rashmika, who hails from the Micro Kodava tribal community.
"Ganiga has been targeting Rashmika, using divisive language and creating unrest. His actions are meant to terrorise her," Nachappa stated in the letter.
The CNC had previously written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Home Minister G Parameshwara seeking security for Rashmika in light of the comments. Nachappa added, “On March 7, we wrote to both Home Ministers requesting protection for Rashmika, but Ganiga’s response has been one of vengeful anger and intimidation.”
The CNC further denounced Ganiga's remarks as an act of "terrorism" and a violation of democratic principles, stressing that such behaviour must not go unchecked. The council has urged the NCW to register a suo motu case against the MLA for bullying the actress and to take necessary steps to ensure her safety, as well as to create a fair environment for all women, particularly those from marginalised communities.
The controversy began on March 3 when Ganiga, a strong supporter of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, criticised Rashmika for allegedly refusing an invitation to attend the International Film Festival organised by the Karnataka government.
Ganiga accused the actress of claiming she lived in Hyderabad and didn’t know where Karnataka was. He also stated that she had rejected the invitation to the festival, despite having made her career in Kannada cinema, particularly through the film Kirik Party.
According to Ganiga, one of the Congress MLAs had visited Rashmika’s house to request her attendance at the event. However, he claimed that despite this, Rashmika had acted arrogantly and refused to attend.
“Rashmika, who built her career through Kannada movies, showed such arrogance, shouldn’t people like her be taught a lesson?” Ganiga had said in his comments, which sparked outrage among Kannada organisations and activists.
The CNC, which advocates for the rights and interests of the Kodava community, strongly condemned the MLA’s remarks, expressing disappointment that such criticism came from an elected representative of Mandya, a region that reveres the Cauvery River.
"Rashmika, who is from Kodagu – the birthplace of the Cauvery – is metaphorically the ‘daughter of Goddess Cauvery’. It is unfortunate that an MLA from Mandya, an area that worships the river, has targeted her in such a distasteful manner," Nachappa stated.
The council also reiterated that Rashmika Mandanna, who hails from the Kodava community, has worked hard to carve out a niche for herself in the Indian film industry and deserves respect for her achievements. They pointed out that subjecting her to mental harassment through public statements is equivalent to issuing a threat, particularly in a case where her choices and personal liberties should be respected.
Furthermore, the CNC described any attempts to coerce the actress into acting according to others’ expectations as an example of "Kodava phobia" and an attack on the Kodava community. “Such coercion, in this case, should be recognised as an assault on the community itself through Rashmika,” Nachappa added.
The CNC’s letter to the NCW also expressed its disappointment that the MLA’s actions appeared to have been overlooked by the political leadership, especially given the seriousness of the harassment. The council concluded by urging the NCW to ensure Rashmika’s safety, as well as the safety and well-being of all women, particularly those from vulnerable communities.