With season 12 of Bigg Boss Kannada nearing its grand finale, another controversy recently surrounded Kichcha Sudeep, the popular host of the show. The actor, along with the show's organizers, has been sued for allegedly spreading "misinformation" about vultures in a recent weekend episode of the series by the Karnataka Vulture Conservation Trust, a group that filed a formal complaint against the actor and the show's organizers.
The Disputed Remark
The controversy originated from a segment within the "Vaarada Kathe Kichchana Jothe" episode (Weekend with Kiccha). Sudeep compared his contestants' gameplay to a vulture while he was talking. During the discussion, he seems to have used a vulture photograph for a contestant and asked, "Who is the one who lurks, conspires, and catches prey at the exact right moment?" Bird lovers and conservationists have also strongly objected to the comparison, claiming it is indeed a misrepresentation of the bird and presents them poorly, which is factually incorrect.
Conservationists Move to DFO
The complaint was filed with Ramakrishnappa, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bengaluru South. The Vulture Conservation Trust voiced concern that such comments, made on a widely-watched platform like Bigg Boss, could tarnish the public perception of an endangered species.
The Trust's Argument:
- Nature’s Scavengers: Vultures aren’t predators, they’re scavengers. They don’t “conspire” or “lurk” to pursue live animals; they eat carcasses, providing a crucial service to the environment.
- Endangered: Vultures are an endangered species, and conservationists have been trying to protect them for decades.
Educational Impact
As a superstar, Sudeep’s words matter, and it’s misleading for youth and the general audience to believe that vultures are “treacherous hunters,” according to The Trust. “Vultures never hurt living things. They are the sanitary workers of nature. Declaring them ‘conspirators waiting to snatch their victim’ is wrong from a scientific standpoint, and even more unfortunate," in the eyes of a representative from the Trust.
Demands for a Correction
The complainants seek action from the Forest Department, calling on Sudeep to clarify in the upcoming episode. They want the actor to use the Bigg Boss scene to raise awareness of vultures’ ecological significance, and not just associate them with negative qualities of humankind. DFO Ramakrishnappa confirmed they had received the complaint and would investigate this and inform the show's producers of the concerns to ensure the facts are being made public.
Bigg Boss 12: A Week of Complaints
This is not the first legal challenge facing Season 12. Previous complaints have been filed regarding Sudeep’s stern reprimand of contestant Rakshita Shetty, and pro-Kannada groups have previously protested against some casting decisions. Just days until the final finale, this "Vulture Controversy" has added a whole unexpected layer of tension to the situation for management.
