Sonu Nigam responds to Kannada song row: I am entitled to take offence

The Hindu

05-05-2025

After explaining his side of the story about the ongoing controversy through a video, Sonu Nigam took to social media on May 05, 2025 (Monday) to further justify his statements that have earned him backlash from the people of Karnataka. The popular playback singer was slammed by people on social media after he turned down the demand of a fan to sing a Kannada song during his recent concert at East Point College in Virgonagar, Bengaluru.
Sonu Nigam wrote 'I am not a young lad to take humiliation from anyone.' He further wrote, 'I am 51 years old, in the second half of my life and am entitled to take offence for someone as young as my son threatening me directly in front of thousands in the name of language, that too Kannada, which is my second language when it comes to my work, that too right after my first song of the concert! He provoked a few more. Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up.'
During his performance, Sonu responded to the demand saying he didn't like the tone of the concerned person from the crowd and compared the incident to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The singer's reference to a terror attack irked Kannadigas, resulting in a case being booked on him by a pro-Kannada outfit for 'inciting language hatred.'
Elaborating on his Pahalgam reference, Sonu said, 'Being a patriot that I am, I loathe anyone trying to create hate in the name of language, caste or religion especially after what transpired in Pahalgam. I had to school them, and I did, and thousands of students and teachers cheered me for it.'
Stressing that he has immense respect for Kannada and the people of Karnataka, Sonu said, 'I have revered my Kannada songs way more than my songs in other languages including Hindi. There are 100s of videos circulating on social media as a testimony. I have more than an hour of Kannada songs that I prepare for every concert when in Karnataka.'
A case has been booked on him by a pro-Kannada outfit for 'inciting language hatred.' The police has sent a notice to the singer to appear before them for questioning. Opening up on the case, Sonu said, 'I leave it upto the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here. I will accept your verdict gracefully. I fully respect and trust the law agencies and Police of Karnataka and will comply with whatever is expected from me. I have received divine love from Karnataka and will cherish it always with no malice whatsoever irrespective of your verdict.'
ALSO READ:Sonu Nigam responds to controversy: I was threatened by 4-5 thugs, no hate towards Kannadigas
On May 0, 2025 (Monday), the Karnataka Film Chamber for Commerce (KFCC) said it has decided to not invite Sonu to any film-related events till he renders an apology. 'Mr Sonu Nigam will not be invited for any Kannada film-related events. We have written to the police commissioner's office to not permit any Sonu Nigam concert in Bengaluru,' said KFCC chairman M Narasimhalu, adding that there has been no step taken to ban the singer from the Kannada film industry yet.