Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru/Mumbai
Bengaluru/Mumbai, May 5: Renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam has been summoned by the Karnataka police for questioning following a controversy over his remarks at a recent Bengaluru event, where he allegedly linked a demand for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam terror attack. The statement has sparked outrage among Kannada activists and organisations across the state.
The FIR against Sonu Nigam was registered by the Avalahalli police in Bengaluru based on a complaint filed by Dharmaraj A., president of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. The FIR cites Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult provoking breach of peace) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The police have directed the singer to appear for questioning within seven days.
The controversy stems from a musical event held on April 25 and 26 at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru. During his performance, Sonu Nigam paused after a youth shouted "Kannada, Kannada", demanding a Kannada song. In response, the singer remarked, “I didn’t like the way he shouted ‘Kannada, Kannada’. It is because of such behaviour that incidents like the Pahalgam attack happen.” His comments were widely condemned by Kannada groups, who viewed the analogy as insulting and provocative.
The backlash intensified with another police complaint being filed by the Raita Karmika Okkuta at the Kote police station in Chitradurga. Its president, H M Shashidhar, demanded an unconditional apology from the singer and warned that his members would blacken Nigam’s face if he visited any part of Karnataka without doing so. Kannada activists have also announced plans to stage protests when Sonu Nigam appears before police in Bengaluru.
The complaint accused Sonu Nigam of insulting the sentiments of Kannadigas, inciting linguistic disharmony, and fostering division through “objectionable and emotionally provocative” remarks. It argued that his comments misrepresented the Kannada-speaking community and threatened communal harmony in the state.
In an attempt to clarify his stance, Sonu Nigam released a video and an open letter on Sunday. In the letter, he said he has always shown deep respect for Kannada language, music, and people — often preparing over an hour’s worth of Kannada songs specifically for his concerts in Karnataka. “I have revered my Kannada songs way more than my songs in other languages including Hindi,” he wrote, adding that there are hundreds of videos as proof.
However, he stood firm on his reaction at the event, claiming he was being “wildly threatened” by a few individuals during his performance. “They were hell-bent on creating a ruckus,” he said, adding that even members of the audience tried to calm the agitators. “Every artist has a song list prepared. I told them politely to let me follow the concert’s flow. Who is at fault here?”
He concluded, “I leave it up to the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault. I will accept your verdict gracefully.”
Despite his clarification, his video response has further fuelled criticism from Kannada groups, some of whom have called for a ban on his performances in the state.
Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara had earlier assured that appropriate legal action would be taken against Sonu Nigam in this regard.