A musical evening in Bengaluru took a controversial turn when singer Sonu Nigam’s onstage comments led to public outrage and a police case. The incident unfolded at a concert held on April 25 and 26 at East Point college of engineering and technology, where Nigam’s remarks reportedly offended local sentiments.
Nigam’s response to being repeatedly requested to sing a song in Kannada, “This is the reason why what happened in Pahalgam happened, what you just did- look at who you’re standing in front of’ had gone viral on social media platform later that later triggered the criticism from many in Karnataka who felt the comment was dismissive and disrespectful toward their language and identity. The situation escalated when a complaint was filed by Dharmaraj K, a member of of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike- a group known known for promoting Kannada interests.
According to the complaint, Nigam’s statement was not just emotionally charged but also seen as promoting disharmony among linguistic communities. The remarks deemed provocative, were described as a threat to communal harmony, especially in a linguistically diverse state in Karnataka.
local police registered an FIR under Indian Penal code sections 153 (promoting enmity between groups), 352 (use of criminal force), 353 (assault to deter a public servant from duty). Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway.
While the singer has yet to respond publicly to the controversy, the incident has fueled heated debates online about the cultural sensitivity, especially when performing in regional spaces. Many social media users from Karnataka have demanded an apology, while others are calling for artists to show more respect for local traditions when visiting different parts of the country.
