Cauvery row: Tamil film industry expresses concern over violence

It said that livelihood of common people getting affected by a few chauvinists should be resisted by all concerned

Tamil film industry on Monday expressed concern regarding violence in Karnataka over the Cauvery water dispute and urged for the security of Tamil- and Kannada-speaking people in Bengaluru and Chennai, respectively.

They also slammed the recent criticism of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa by some Kannada actors and other groups.

"The violence in Karnataka against release of water for Tamil Nadu farmers is a matter of concern," said a joint statement issued by the Tamil Film Producers' Council, Tamil Nadu Film Directors' Association and South Indian Artistes' Association (Nadigar Sangam).

"It is a matter of regret that some people cannot understand the Supreme Court order that water should be released to Tamil Nadu, and are holding protests," it said.

The statement said that Jayalalithaa was against violence.

"That is why we have also not resorted to violence and taken to peaceful protests. We strongly condemn those Kannada groups and actors who insulted the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister," during the protests there, it said.

While there were Tamils living in Bengaluru and Kannadigas in Chennai, the livelihood of these common people getting affected by a few chauvinists should be resisted by all concerned, they said.

"Let the issue be resolved through talks and legal means," it added.