Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 20: Singer Sonu Nigam has apologised to the people of Karnataka over his controversial comparison of demands for Kannada songs with the Pahalgam terror attack, prompting the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) to call off its planned protest.

KRV state president TA Narayana Gowda shared Sonu's apology video on X on October 19, saying the singer had understood the hurt caused by his earlier remarks and had offered an unconditional apology.

Addressing the people of Karnataka as his family, Sonu said he did not want a misunderstanding to damage the bond he had shared with Kannadigas for three decades.

“My dear Karnataka family, Thanna Kannadigaru,” he said, adding that he had held a warm and respectful conversation with Narayana Gowda.

Explaining his apology, Sonu said he was willing to apologise repeatedly to preserve a relationship built on love and mutual respect.

“If anything I've said inadvertently that has hurt you, I am so sorry for it,” he said, expressing gratitude for the love and respect he had received from Karnataka over the past 30 years.

Responding to the video, Narayana Gowda said there was no personal animosity towards the singer and that the protest had been organised in response to his remarks. He said it was time to put the controversy behind them and confirmed that the organisation would withdraw its protest following the apology.

Gowda also recalled the contributions of legendary singers such as Ghantasala, PB Srinivas, Yesudas, S Janaki, Vani Jairam and KS Chithra, who were not Kannadigas but had contributed significantly to Kannada film music and earned the affection of audiences in the state.

He expressed hope that Sonu would continue singing Kannada songs and perform in Karnataka.

The controversy dates back to April 2025, when Sonu was performing at a musical event at East Point Engineering College in Bengaluru. After some members of the audience repeatedly requested a Kannada song, the singer compared their insistence with the Pahalgam terror attack, triggering widespread criticism.

Kannada organisations accused him of hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas. The KRV subsequently lodged a complaint at Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru, following which an FIR was registered against the singer.

Sonu later issued a video explaining that his remarks were directed at the behaviour of a few audience members whom he claimed had been aggressive, rather than at Kannadigas as a community. However, the explanation failed to end the controversy.

The issue resurfaced ahead of his scheduled concert at Bharatiya Mall in Bengaluru on October 24, 2026. Narayana Gowda had written to the Bengaluru police commissioner seeking denial of permission for the event, alleging that the singer had insulted Kannadigas.

Sonu's latest apology has now prompted the KRV to call off its protest, signalling a possible end to the prolonged dispute.