March 12, 2025: A complaint has been lodged against Nandineda Nachappa, the president of the Codava National Council (CNC), who had sought security for actress Rashmika Mandanna following a controversial statement made by Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda. The complaint, submitted by another organization to the Mandya Superintendent of Police, accuses Nachappa of attempting to create divisions within society and disturbing public peace.
Earlier this month, the CNC, a Kodava rights protection organization, expressed grave concerns about Mandanna’s safety, urging the Union and Karnataka Home Ministers to provide her with protection amid the ongoing political controversy. The issue stemmed from a remark made by Karnataka Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda, who criticized Mandanna for allegedly disrespecting the Kannada film industry.
In a media statement on March 3, Gowda accused Mandanna of refusing an invitation to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival, calling it a disregard for her roots in the Kannada film industry. He went on to suggest that she “must be taught a lesson.”
Gowda later clarified his comments, stating that by “teaching her a lesson,” he meant offering life lessons rather than attacking her personally. He explained that his words were meant to emphasize the importance of respecting the state of Karnataka, which helped launch her career. Gowda further expressed that his remarks were not intended to criticize Mandanna, but to remind her of the significance of acknowledging the state and its culture.
The controversy arose after Mandanna turned down the invitation to the state’s International Film Festival, leading to further tensions. Despite the clarifications from Gowda, the matter has sparked significant public discussion and led to the filing of the complaint against Nachappa.