New Delhi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said "Hindi will never be the national language". He also urged every Indian to respect the linguistic diversity of India.
In response to the tweet, Siddaramaiah wrote, "Hindi was never & will never be our National Language. It is the duty of every Indian to respect the linguistic diversity of our country."
Siddaramaiah tweeted, "Each language has its own rich history for its people to be proud of. I am proud to be a Kannadiga!!"
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and Kannada actor-filmmaker Kiccha Sudeep engaged in an "argument" on the microblogging platform over the much-debated topic of the national language.
"Hindi is no more our national language," Sudeep said at a film launch event last week when he was asked how he viewed the record-breaking pan-India success of the Kannada film "KGF: Chapter 2", the Hindi version of which alone has minted Rs 336 crore since its April 14 release. The film has reportedly earned Rs 850 crore worldwide.
Devgn, who recently starred in filmmaker SS Rajamouli's pan-India blockbuster "RRR", tagged the Karnataka-based actor on Twitter and wrote, "Hindi was, is and always will be our national language."
"My brother, according to you if Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your mother tongue movies by dubbing them in Hindi?" Devgn wrote in Devanagari, the Hindi script.
"Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man," the actor-filmmaker, who is looking forward to the release of his film "Runway 34" on Friday, added in his tweet.
Addressing the media in Kannada, Sudeep had said, "Hindi (filmmakers) should say they are making pan India movies. They have been dubbing those (Bollywood) movies into Tamil and Telugu, etc and they are struggling. They are not able to. Today, we just make films that reach everywhere."
Sudeep said he didn't want to "hurt, provoke or to start any debate".
ALSO READ: Ajay Devgn And Kiccha Sudeep Engage In Banter Over Hindi As National Language' On Twitter
"Hello @ajaydevgn sir... The context to why I said that line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably will emphasise on why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn't to hurt, provoke or to start any debate. Why would I sir.
"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. Much love and wishes to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon," he wrote in English.
In a subsequent tweet, Sudeep said he comprehended Devgn's message in Hindi yet thought what his fellow actor would do if his response was in Kannada.
"And sir @ajaydevgn, I did understand the text you sent in Hindi. That's only because 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! (sic)" he wrote.
"Don't we too belong to India sir," Sudeep asked Devgn.
Devgn then, at that point, expressed gratitude toward Sudeep for "clearing up the misunderstanding" and said he basically needed to guarantee that individuals regard all dialects.
"Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. I've always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation (sic)" he added.
Interpretation and translations are "perspectives", Sudeep said in his reaction to Devgn.
"That's the reason not reacting without knowing the complete matter, matters. I don't blame you @ajaydevgn sir. Perhaps it would have been a happy moment if I had received a tweet from you for a creative reason. Love and regards (sic)" Sudeep concluded.
On the work front, Ajay Devgn is currently busy promoting his upcoming film 'Runway 34'. Apart from Ajay, the film also stars Rakul Preet Singh, Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani in pivotal roles. The film is all set to release on April 29, 2022.