BENGALURU: A day after an FIR was registered against singer Sonu Nigam for allegedly insulting Kannadigas, the police are now likely to issue a notice summoning him to appear before the investigation officer (IO) for questioning.
The FIR was filed following Nigam’s controversial statement during a college concert, where he linked a request to sing a Kannada song with the Pahalgam terror attack — a remark that triggered widespread outrage and upset people in Karnataka.
The Avalahalli police booked the singer on Saturday under Sections 351(1) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), after Nigam, who has sung numerous Kannada songs, allegedly took offence at being asked to sing in Kannada.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Dharmaraj A, president, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s Bengaluru district unit, alleged that Nigam made objectionable remarks during a concert at East Point College of Engineering.
I perform in Karnataka with respect: Sonu Nigam
Dharmaraj A mentioned that a student requested Nigam to sing a Kannada song, to which the singer responded by saying, “Kannada, Kannada, Kannada — this is why the Pahalgam incident (terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 tourists were killed) happened.”
The complainant said that by equating a Kannada song request with an act of terrorism, Nigam insulted Kannadigas and their cultural identity. He added that the singer’s remarks defamed the Kannadiga community, portrayed them as intolerant or violent and deeply hurt their sentiments. The complaint noted that such remarks could lead to tension in a peaceful state like Karnataka.
TA Narayana Gowda, state president, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, demanded Nigam’s immediate arrest and strict legal action. He said Kannadigas have always shown immense love and respect for Nigam. “No other artist had received such admiration here. In return, we expected him to show the same affection and sensitivity towards Kannadigas.
Instead, he compared a simple request for a Kannada song to a terrorist act — this is unacceptable,” he said, adding that someone who received so much from Karnataka should have honoured that bond, not belittled it.
Nigam issues clarification
After the FIR was registered, Sonu Nigam, via a social media post, issued a clarification, in which he once again referred to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He said, “The best songs I have sung are in Kannada. Whenever I perform in Karnataka, I do so with a lot of respect.
You have treated me like family. But I did not appreciate it when a group of 4-5 boys there ‘threatened’ rather than insisting that I sing in Kannada. I’ve been singing in Kannada for more years than their age.
He was shouting ‘Kannada, Kannada’ in a rude and threatening tone. This kind of attitude is what leads to incidents like the Pahalgam attack. Look at who’s standing here — I love Kannadigas,” the singer maintained.
