Chennai: The Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) have registered a case against
popular film actress Kasthuri for allegedly making some derogatory remarks against the Telugu community.
The actress was booked on the basis of a complaint filed by All India Telugu Federation Head
Dr. C.M.K. Reddy and general secretary R. Nandagopal contending that she had insulted the
Telugu community by her remarks.
A police release said that cases under four sections were registered against the actor.
Ms Kasthuri had allegedly made the remarks during a protest demonstration in the city a couple
of days back organised to support the rights of brahmins.
As the incident created a furore and her remarks went viral on the Youtube, the actress said
she had not made any derogatory remarks against the Telugu community.
She also tendered an apology and withdrew her remark if it had insulted them.
In a social media post, Kasthuri earlier alleged that the ruling DMK was behind this smear campaign against her telugu loyalty by trending fake news that she spoke against telugus.
In another post expressing her apology, she said she had received many threats and attacks in the last two days, which had only hardened her resolve.
"However, today a most respected telugu brother of mine patiently explained the ramifications of my choice of words on the entire telugu populace of Tamil Nadu and beyond", she wrote.
"I am a true nationalist with immense pride in the unity and diversity of my Bharatmata. I have always lived above caste and regional differences. I am lucky to have a special connection to Telugu and cherish my movie career Telugu. The telugu people have given me name, fame, love and a family", she added.
Reiterating that her expressed opinions are contextually specific to certain persons and not general to the greater Telugu community, Kasthuri said "it was never my intention to hurt or offend by telugu extended family. I am sorry for an inadvertent ill feeling. In the interest of all round amity, I withdraw all references to telugu in my speech".
This controversy has diverted focus from the more important points she had raised in that speech.
"I ask the Telugu brethren of Tamil Nadu to rally behind Tamil Nadu's Brahmins in their fight for dignity", she wrote, seeking to put an end to the controversy.