Bengaluru: Jumping into a tug-of-war on Twitter between actors Ajay Devgn and Kiccha Sudeep, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said Hindi was never and will never be India's national language.
"Hindi was never & will never be our National Language ...," he tweeted.
Siddaramaiah said every Indian should respect the linguistic diversity of the country and he is proud to be a Kannadiga.
"It is the duty of every Indian to respect the linguistic diversity of our Country. Each language has its own rich history for its people to be proud of. I am proud to be a Kannadiga!!" he added.
The Twitter exchange between the actors on the issue of national language exploded on Twitter and became a raging point of debate with several celebrities sharing their views.
In a recent interview, Sudeep had said that Hindi is no longer the national language while talking about the success of pan-India films like KGF Chapter 2, Pushpa and RRR.
"You said that a pan India film was made in Kannada. I'd like to make a small correction. Hindi is no more a national language. They (Bollywood) are doing pan-India films today. They are struggling (to find success) by dubbing in Telugu and Tamil, but it's not happening. Today we are making films that are going everywhere,” he reportedly said.
Devgn on Wednesday asked Sudeep if he felt Hindi was not India's national language, then why does he release films in Hindi. "According to you if Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your mother tongue movies by dubbing them in Hindi? Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man," Devgn tweeted.
Sudeep then shot back, arguing that his tweet was taken out of context and he had no intentions of provoking anyone. "I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest, as I said the line in a totally different context. Mch luv and wshs to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon," he tweeted.
"And sir @ajaydevgn, I did understand the txt you sent in hindi. Tats only coz we all have respected,loved and learnt hindi. No offense sir, but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in kannada!! Don't we too belong to India sir," he further tweeted.
Other actors also joined the debate. Actor and Lok Sabha member Ramya expressed her disappointment over Devgn's ignorance, while filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma backed Sudeep in the debate. (UNI)