Bengaluru theatres appeal to HC to ensure smooth release of 'Thug Life'
In a writ petition already filed by Raajkamal Films International (WP No. 15589/2025), theatres are planning to implead and request police protection amid growing threats from Kannada groups opposing the film's screening. Theatres cite intimidation tactics, including threats of violence and property damage, should they proceed with the release.
One theatre chain, represented by its authorised signatory, is learnt to be filing an urgent impleadment application in the writ petition filed by Kamal Haasan's production company, urging the court to allow it to join the case as a petitioner.
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The Print
39 minutes ago
- The Print
Modi announces statues of Chola kings as BJP takes Shaivite route to cracking Tamil Nadu puzzle
Addressing the people gathered, Modi harked back to the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building. A gold-plated, silver sceptre, the Sengol was earlier housed at the Allahabad Museum. Emissaries from the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Matha, a Shaivite monastery, are believed to have had brought the Sengol to North India. Since then, the Sengol had been lying in the Allahabad museum for decades before it hit the headlines in 2023, when Modi, along with Hindu priests heading the 20 Adheenams in Tamil Nadu, installed it near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair. On Sunday, participating in the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Tamil Nadu's Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, established by Rajendra Chola I in the then-capital of the Chola Empire, Prime Minister Modi said the statues would 'serve as modern pillars of India's historical consciousness'. Honouring Rajendra Chola I, he also released a commemorative coin at the temple, which is now celebrating its 1,000th anniversary. Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government will install statues of Raja Raja Chola, who ruled the Chola empire at its peak in the 10th and early 11th centuries, and his son Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming years. 'During the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the saints from the Shaivite Adheenams led the ceremony spiritually. The sacred Sengol, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, has been ceremoniously installed in the new Parliament,' Modi said, emphasising that the Shaivite tradition in the state had played a key role in shaping the country's cultural identity. 'Chola emperors were key architects of this legacy. Even today, Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres—where this living tradition continues to thrive.' Political analysts in the state, however, say the PM's address is an extension of the BJP's efforts to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. 'They (BJP leaders) have been trying to leverage the worship of Lord Vinayagar (Tamil Nadu's Ganesha) through the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival (also known as Ganesh Chaturthi) for a long time, and for the last couple of years, they have tried to leverage Murugan (Ganesha's brother and god of war and victory). Now, they have taken the Shaivite tradition and Lord Shiva to appease the people of Tamil Nadu and bring everyone under one umbrella as Hindus,' said A. Ramasamy, a political analyst and former head of Tamil department at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. However, BJP leaders in the state said that it was not about politics and that analysts are misreading intentions. Speaking to ThePrint, the BJP's former Tamil Nadu president, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said that the PM's visit demonstrated that history and legacy matter. 'Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple was a historically important temple, built 1,000 years ago, and the Prime Minister visiting it was a symbol of celebrating the past, and it has nothing to do with politics. By the visit of the Prime Minister to a small district, like Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the city has got the light of the country, and [I] hope it regains its past glory,' she told ThePrint. 'C hola Empire advanced democratic tradition s' Stating that the history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India, the PM said, 'The legacy of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride.' He also said that it was the Chola Empire, which implemented democratic election practices first, centuries before Britain's Magna Carta came into being. 'While historians speak of Britain's Magna Carta in the context of democracy, the Chola empire had implemented democratic election practices centuries earlier, through the Kudavolai Amaippu system,' he said, adding that the Chola Empire also advanced India's democratic traditions but had often been overlooked in global narratives. Under the Kudavolai Amaippu system, the names of contestants for membership of the village 'Maha Sabhas' were written on palm leaves, with the winner selected by a lucky lot drawn in front of all villagers. The Prime Minister also highlighted a belief that Rajendra Chola I transported Ganga water from North India to South India. 'While many are remembered for acquiring gold, silver, or livestock from other regions, Rajendra Chola is recognised for bringing sacred Ganga water. Rajendra Chola transported Ganga water from North India and established it in the South,' Modi said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the Union government's Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam programmes.'The Chola rulers have woven a thread of cultural unity across India. Today, our government is carrying forward the ideals from the Chola era,' the PM said. he also emphasised that the Shaivite philosophy would pave the way for meaningful solutions for several crises. Referring to the teachings of Tirumular, who wrote 'Anbe Sivam', meaning 'Love is Shiva', he said that 'had the world embraced this thought, many crises could resolve on their own'. India, he proclaimed, is currently advancing this philosophy through the motto, 'One world, One Family, One Future'. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Tamil Nadu on mission to get Blue Flag tag for 4 of its beaches. But Marina presents a unique challenge


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No need to worry about border dispute; Mahajan report is final: Minister HK Patil
Pic: Minister held a meeting with Kannada organisations on Saturday Belagavi: Minister for law, parliamentary affairs and tourism, HK Patil, stated that Kannadigas need not worry about the cases in the Supreme Court regarding the border dispute, as Maharashtra's case is a constitutional matter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Presiding over a meeting with leaders of pro-Kannada organisations at the deputy commissioner's office on Saturday, minister HK Patil mentioned that the language dispute is also an election issue in Maharashtra. Therefore, there should be no concern about this. The Karnataka govt agreed to form the Mahajan Commission, respecting the federal system of the country. Our stance is that the Mahajan report is the solution to the border dispute. The minister clarified that it is the firm decision of the Karnataka state that if they agree, they should accept the Mahajan report; otherwise, the status quo should continue. The harmonious life of Kannada-Marathi is a model for the entire country. Those who are making unnecessary noise should understand this and change their mindset, he suggested. Steps will also be taken to rectify the inconveniences faced by Kannadigas in the state of Goa. In addition to taking all measures to prevent injustice against Kannadigas in Goa, this matter will also be discussed with the central govt, he said. Some steps will have to be taken to withdraw the cases against pro-Kannada activists. The attention of the concerned will be drawn to it, he clarified. Action to strengthen border schools Border in-charge minister HK Patil assured that appropriate action will be taken after discussing in detail with the education minister, along with the Belagavi delegation, regarding the necessary steps to strengthen Kannada schools on the state's border, including Belagavi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Public allowed to view Vidhana Soudha The Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru has been converted into a tourist attraction by providing access to the public. Similarly, action will be taken at the govt level to provide access to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Special funds provided for the celebration of the Belagavi Kannada Rajyotsava on the model of Mysuru Dasara will be examined. He instructed the officials of the Kannada and culture department to do more to provide encouragement to border artists. While constructing a flyover at Channamma Circle, a large-sized Channamma statue will be installed. The minister said that a plan is being formulated for this. Kittur Karnataka Sena President Mahadev Talwar, Abhilash, leader of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV- Praveen Shetty faction), Srinivas Talurakar, president of Sarvodaya Swayamseva Sansthe, Deepak Gudaganatti, district president of KRV, and pro-Kannada activist Mehboob Makanadar participated. MLA Vishwas Vaidya, DC Mohammed Roshan, police commissioner Bhushan Borase, zilla panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde, superintendent of police Bhimashankar Guled, and pro-Kannada organisation leader Ashok Chandaragi were present.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Belagavi faces renewed tensions over mandatory Kannada signboards ahead of Ganeshotsav
Belagavi: The city, known for its linguistic sensitivity, is once again on edge over a fresh controversy surrounding the mandatory use of Kannada on signboards. With Ganeshotsav approaching next month, the police department is grappling with growing tensions between Kannada enforcement and opposition from Marathi outfits. The situation escalated after personnel from Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) removed a Marathi-only signboard put up by a Ganeshotsav Mandal at Patil Galli near Shani Mandal on Friday. In defiance, the Mandal reinstalled the board on Saturday and called upon other Mandals to follow suit, intensifying the standoff. All this occurred on the day when the border in-charge minister, HK Patil, was in Belagavi. After BCC personnel removed the board of the Ganeshotsav Mandal on Friday evening at Patil Galli, the situation was tense. On Saturday, the office bearers of various Ganesh Mandals visited city police commissioner Bhushan Borase to detail the situation. They cautioned that it was the board welcoming the public for Ganeshotsav. Targeting such boards just because they are in the Marathi language does not send a good message and may also impact the upcoming Ganesh festival in the city, where more than 370 mandals install Ganesh idols in public places for 11 days. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Responding to them, police commissioner Borase mentioned holding discussions with the BCC commissioner in this regard. This is not the first incident in the past fortnight on linguistic grounds. The controversy started simmering since the visit of Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman, Purushottam Bilimale, to Belagavi city a fortnight ago. During the meeting with Bilimale, the leaders of Kannada outfits appreciated the govt officials who achieved 80% success in Kannada implementation on the signboards in the city according to the govt guidelines. They demanded achieving 100% success. Accordingly, the KDA head instructed the officials to put in efforts to achieve 100% success. Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) strongly opposed the statement of the KDA chief and submitted a memorandum to the district minister Satish Jarkiholi and DC Mohammad Roshan, urging them to stop targeting Marathi boards in the city. Meanwhile, at the demand of Kannada outfits, Kannada number plates were installed on the cars of BCC mayor Mangesh Pawar and deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, which was also opposed by the MES members. After that, mayor Mangesh Pawar stopped using the BCC car. However, the police found a middle way and installed number plates with both English and Kannada numbers. The linguistic controversy also resonated in the BCC Council meeting held on Saturday, with the MES member demanding BCC documents in the Marathi language. Condemning the demand, Kannada outfits tried to enter the meeting hall in protest. The Kannada outfits also raised the issue with minister HK Patil during an interaction on Saturday. The series of incidents have helped the Marathi outfits to organise and fight back.