Why is Sonu Nigam Under Fire? Controversy Erupts Over Remarks Linking Kannada Song Demand to Terror Attack

Sonu Nigam Faces Police Inquiry Over Controversial Remarks

In Bengaluru, the Karnataka police have summoned renowned singer Sonu Nigam for questioning regarding an FIR filed against him. This action follows his comments linking a request for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam terror attack during a recent event.

The Avalahalli police, who are investigating the matter, have instructed Nigam to report to them within a week.

Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara has indicated that appropriate measures will be taken against the singer.

Additionally, another complaint has been lodged against Nigam by the Raita Karmika Okkuta at the Kote police station in Chitradurga. H.M. Shashidhar, the organization's president, has demanded an unconditional apology from Nigam for his remarks, which he claims insulted the people of Karnataka.

Shashidhar has warned that if Nigam fails to apologize, members of his organization will blacken the singer's face whenever he visits the state.

Kannada activists are also planning protests during Nigam's police appearance in Bengaluru.

The FIR was filed after Nigam's controversial remarks during an event on April 22, where he linked the demand for a Kannada song to the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Outraged by his comments, several Kannada organizations have called for an apology and filed complaints with the police.

The Avalahalli police have charged Nigam under various sections of the BNS Act, including criminal intimidation and inciting public mischief.

The complaint was initiated by Dharmaraj A., president of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.

During the event at East Point College of Engineering and Technology, Nigam responded to an audience member's request for a Kannada song by stating, 'I have sung in different languages. Among them, the best songs are in Kannada. Whenever I come to Karnataka, I come with a lot of love and respect. You all have treated me like family.'

However, he expressed discontent with the manner in which the request was made, suggesting that such behavior could lead to incidents like the Pahalgam attack.

His comments sparked immediate backlash, with Kannada organizations questioning the connection he made between a song request and a terrorist act. Some groups have even called for a ban on Nigam and urged police to take action.

The complaint alleges that Nigam's statements insulted the Kannada community and incited division among linguistic groups.

The complaint further states that his remarks during the musical event on April 25-26 have deeply hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas and could provoke violence. A video of his comments has gone viral, leading to widespread outrage.

The allegations against Nigam include violating sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertain to inciting hatred and disrupting public harmony.

By equating a simple request for a Kannada song with a terrorist act, Nigam's statements have been perceived as offensive and divisive, undermining the dignity of the Kannada community.

In response to the uproar, Nigam released a video defending his comments, which has only intensified the controversy. He claimed that the audience members were not merely requesting but were threatening him to sing in Kannada, and he felt it necessary to remind them of the Pahalgam incident.