Actor alleges attack in Bengaluru for speaking in Kannada: ‘Are we in Pakistan?'

Kannada actor Harshika Poonacha has alleged an attack by a mob in Bengaluru for speaking in Kannada. Sharing a video of her ordeal, she claimed that miscreants even attempted to rob her husband. She also claimed that when she complained to a police officer nearby, he was reluctant to help. Seeking help from the Karnataka Police and Karnataka Chief Minister, she asked if they were living in Pakistan or Afghanistan.

The actor shared a video capturing what had happened on Facebook. She wrote, “How SAFE are we locals in Namma Bengaluru???? Dear all, after a lot of thought, I decided to share a horrifying experience i had in Namma Bengaluru a couple of days ago. I was on a casual dinner with family on a late evening in a restaurant in Mosque Road, Pulikeshi Nagar near Frazer town area a couple of days ago. Post completing dinner, we received our vehicle from valet parking when 2 men suddenly appeared near the driver's seat window & started arguing (sic).”

Harshika Poonacha added that her husband stayed calm when they started an argument, but the group soon got violent, tried to hit him and even snatched his gold chain.

“My husband realised this on time & quickly held on to it & gave it to me. They started damaging the vehicle & trying to physically abuse. Also, these guys had a problem that we were talking in Kannada. They were like your coming to our area & stop talking in languages you want. It agitated them more when my hubby & me spoke only in Kannada. Most of them spoke either Hindi, Urdu & a few in broken Kannada (sic),” the actor further said.

Harshika Poonacha also sought help from the police but alleged that the ASI from the nearby police station was reluctant to help. “When I made an emergency call to the inspector I knew from my area, they all dispersed in a fraction of a second like nothing had happened. We found a police patrol vehicle nearby and narrated the incident to Mr. Umesh the ASI from the nearby police station did not seem keen to help us. He said we should talk to higher ups in the department and did not even have the courtesy to come & find out what happened. He wanted to drink the moosambi juice that he was drinking in front of a restaurant just 2 buildings ahead. I've been in absolute shock after this incident & it still scares me to go out in the city that I was born in & has given me everything in life. This is the first such experience I've ever had in my city (sic),” she said.

She concluded, “A couple of questions popped up in my mind while i witnessed this unfold in front of my eyes.1. Are we living in PAKISTAN or AFGANISTAN?? 2. Is it wrong to use my language Kannada & get abused for it in my own city???3. How really safe are we in our own city ?4. Being born & brought up here in Namma Bengaluru should we turn a blind eye to such incidents which lead to such long-term mental trauma? I hereby humbly request the honourable Chief Minister of the state & the Karnataka state Police department to look into the matter & take appropriate action so that such incidents do not become a common occurrence in our city which we love so much (sic).”

Harshika's husband, actor Bhuvann Ponnannaa, opened up about the incident and said, "I wouldn't want to comment on law and order in the state. India is getting an image of safe, clean and economically great country. But, if such incidents happening to me. what about the common people? I felt absolutely helpless about this and the law enforcement authorities have promised action."

He added, "The kind of trauma that one has to go through to protect their family is horrendous."

Harshika Poonacha has been a part of films like 'Upendra Matte Baa' and 'Kaasina Sara'.