Actors Fast to Protest Against Film Ban
07th April 2008
Actors have gone on a one-day fast in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to protest against the ban on screening Tamil films in the neighbouring state, Karnataka. The top Tamil actor Rajnikanth is thought to be among the film stars who has decided to fast.
The film ban is the latest instalment of an ongoing political saga between Karnataka and Tamil over the sharing of water from the Cauvery river. This dispute over water sharing has been going on between these two neighbouring states for decades, although the last few days have seen violence break out over the issue in both states. Both states argue that they need water from the river for their millions of farmers.
The argument between the two states is mainly due to Tamil Nadu's Hogenakkal Fall drinking water project, which is on the Cauvery river. The Tamil Nadu government have repeatedly said that their Hogenakkal water project is not responsible for the generation of electricity or irrigation; they state that the project merely provides drinking water to two thirsty districts in their state.
In response to Tamil Nadu’s Hogenakkal project, cinema halls that show Tamil films in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, have recently been attacked. All Tamil cable channels have also been blacked out in Karnataka, which means that Tamil films can no longer be viewed there.
Tamil actor Sarath Kumar was keen to justify his decision to protest against Karnataka’s behaviour by fasting. He said: “We are not trying to add fuel to fire. We are showing solidarity with Tamils in Karnataka. Let us get peace back to both states.” S Prabhu, a fellow Tamil film star, was also keen to justify his decision to fast. He said: “We are not against the people of Karnataka but against people who are trying to stop all these things.”
Actors and actresses in Karnataka are also thought to be holding a one-day protest to show solidarity for their own state, as well as display their feelings against Tamil Nadu.
Source:
BBC