Security sought for Rashmika Mandanna

Codava National Council (CNC), expressed serious concerns over the safety of actor Rashmika Mandanna, urging the Union and Karnataka Home Ministers to provide her with security amid ongoing political controversy.

Actor Rashmika Mandanna hails from the Kodava community and the Kodagu region of Karnataka. The CNC claimed the actor was being unfairly targeted due to her Kodava heritage. CNC made the request following Congress MLA Ravi Ganiga’s sharp criticism of the actress.

In a formal complaint, CNC President Nandinervanda Nachappa alleged that a phobia was being created against the actor, dragging her into unnecessary political debates and subjecting her to mental harassment. He argued that her success was independent of political influence and should not be used to further political agendas.

The controversy erupted after Ganiga, the Congress MLA from Karnataka’s Mandya constituency, accused Rashmika of disregarding the Kannada film industry and refusing to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival. She made her debut in 2010 in the Kannada film Kirik Party. He claimed that despite multiple invitations, she declined to visit Karnataka, allegedly stating that she had no time and that her home was in Hyderabad.

Ganiga went on to allege that a fellow legislator visited Rashmika’s house 10-12 times to invite her, but she still refused. “Shouldn’t we teach them a lesson?” he remarked, suggesting that her actions should have consequences.

Nachappa, in response, strongly condemned political leaders for their remarks, stating that those in “glass houses” were engaging in malicious activities. He further warned that if the harassment continued, the matter would be escalated to both national and international women’s commissions.

Meanwhile, several Congress leaders downplayed the controversy. MLA Rizwan Arshad dismissed any security concerns for Rashmika, stating, “There is no issue about the safety and security of Rashmika. A Congress MLA is not an anti-social element or a rowdy to take her down and threaten her. The government and the police are well-equipped to handle such matters.”

AS Ponnanna, legal advisor to the Chief Minister, also rejected the CNC’s concerns, questioning the basis for a security request. “First of all, she is not residing here, so how can the home minister give such a letter? And there is no such threat. The MLA was only expressing his anguish over the absence of certain film stars at the event.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, when asked about the CNC's request, said he had not received any such letter but would review the matter if it had been officially submitted. “If it has been released, then we will see what has to be done in that direction,” he said.