Bengaluru, April 20 (UNI) Popular Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha has expressed her fear of stepping outside in Bengaluru after her family was attacked by a mob for speaking in Kannada. The incident has sparked outrage, prompting calls for strict action against the perpetrators.
In a video shared by the actress, she detailed the harrowing experience her family faced while dining at a restaurant in the Mosque Road area of Pulikeshi Nagar.
"While having a casual dinner with my family at 'Karama' restaurant, two men suddenly appeared near the driver's seat window, arguing about the size of our vehicle," Harshika recounted.
She continued, "The mob began targeting us, claiming that Kannada-speaking people needed to be taught a lesson. They attempted to snatch my husband's gold chain and even tried to physically assault us."
The situation escalated quickly as more members of the mob gathered, damaging their vehicle and attempting to harm Harshika and her husband. The actress revealed that they had to make an emergency call to the police to intervene.
"After contacting a Police Inspector we knew, the mob dispersed. We reported the incident to Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh, who unfortunately showed little interest and directed us to speak with senior officers," Harshika added.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with senior BJP leader and Opposition leader, R Ashoka, criticising the Congress government for what he termed as "politics of appeasement" leading to such incidents.
Harshika Poonacha took to social media to share her ordeal and has vowed to raise her voice for other women and families facing similar incidents in the state. She questioned the safety of Kannada speakers in Bengaluru, asking whether they were living in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan.
"No one has the right to create ruckus with the people who are peacefully conducting themselves. After going through the trauma it occurred to me that whether we are living in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan?
"Is it wrong to speak in the local Kannada language? How safe are we in our city? Do I have to hush up this incident which is going to cause trauma for a long period?" she asked.
The actress appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Karnataka Police to take strict action against the miscreants involved in the incident, emphasizing the need for a safer environment for all residents of Bengaluru.
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