In a significant escalation of tensions between celebrated playback singer Sonu Nigam and pro-Kannada organizations, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has filed a formal police complaint against the artist following his controversial remarks at a recent Bengaluru concert. The dispute centers around Nigam’s response to a fan’s request to sing in Kannada, which the singer compared to the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. This comparison has sparked outrage across Karnataka, with activists claiming it unfairly portrays Kannadigas as intolerant and equates legitimate language activism with terrorism.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Nigam—who ironically has sung some of his most acclaimed songs in Kannada—now faces potential performance bans in the state and mounting pressure to issue a public apology. The incident highlights the complex dynamics of language politics in Karnataka, where pride in Kannada identity runs deep and resistance to perceived linguistic imposition remains strong. For a singer who has previously enjoyed immense popularity in the state, this controversy represents a significant challenge to his relationship with Kannada audiences and the regional film industry that has embraced his talents for decades.
How Sonu Nigam Concert Comment Ignited a Language Controversy
The controversy surrounding Sonu Nigam began during his performance at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Virgonagar, Bengaluru, on April 25-26, 2025. What started as a routine concert quickly escalated when a student in the audience allegedly demanded—in what Nigam perceived as a threatening manner—that the singer perform a song in Kannada.
Visibly upset by the tone of the request, Nigam paused his performance to address the situation. In a moment captured on video that later went viral across social media platforms, the singer made a statement that would spark significant backlash: “This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam. Please see who is standing before you. I love you guys.”
The reference to Pahalgam—site of a recent terrorist attack that resulted in multiple casualties—immediately drew criticism from Kannada language activists and cultural organizations. They interpreted Nigam’s comment as equating a request to sing in Kannada with terrorism, a comparison they found deeply offensive and harmful to the Kannada-speaking community.
In his full response at the concert, Nigam attempted to contextualize his reaction by emphasizing his respect for Kannada culture and music: “In my career, I have sung in multiple languages, but the best songs that I have ever sung is in the Kannada language. Whenever I come to your city, I come with lots of love. We do a lot of shows in a lot of places, but whenever we have shows in Karnataka, we come with a lot of respect for you. You have treated me like your family, but I didn’t like when the boy there, who is not even as old as my career, is rudely threatening me to sing in Kannada.”
Despite these qualifications, it was the Pahalgam reference that dominated public discourse and triggered formal complaints against the singer. On May 2, 2025, the Bengaluru district branch of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a prominent pro-Kannada organization, filed a police complaint against Nigam. In their complaint, they stated: “This statement is not only insensitive, but also dangerous. By linking a simple cultural request to a terrorist incident, Sonu Nigam has portrayed Kannadigas as intolerant, inciting linguistic hatred and threatening communal harmony.”
The KRV has demanded that authorities file an FIR against Nigam “under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to promoting enmity on linguistic grounds, criminal defamation, and outraging linguistic sentiments,” according to reports from India Today.
| Key Aspects of the Controversy | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | April 25-26, 2025 |
| Location | East Point College of Engineering and Technology, Bengaluru |
| Trigger | Student’s request for Nigam to sing in Kannada |
| Controversial Statement | Comparison to Pahalgam terror attack |
| Formal Complaint Filed By | Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) |
| Date of Complaint | May 2, 2025 |
| Main Accusation | Equating language activism with terrorism |
| Potential Legal Charges | Promoting enmity on linguistic grounds, defamation |
The controversy has expanded beyond legal complaints. Rupesh Rajanna, an activist with ‘Yuva Karnataka Vedike,’ has approached the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) requesting a ban on Nigam from performing in Kannada films until he issues a public apology. This could significantly impact the singer’s career, as he has lent his voice to numerous hit Kannada songs, including those in popular films like Mungaru Male (2006), Milana (2007), and Gaalipata (2008).
KRV Women’s Wing President Shwetha Mohan Gowda emphasized the group’s position, stating, “He has to apologise for hurting crores of Kannadigas and disrespecting our language,” as reported by News18.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked intense debate on social media platforms, with opinions divided. Some users have defended Nigam’s right to respond to what he perceived as aggressive behavior, while others have condemned his comparison as insensitive and harmful to Kannada cultural identity.
This controversy occurs against the backdrop of Karnataka’s strong language politics, where Kannada pride is deeply embedded in regional identity. Pro-Kannada groups have historically resisted what they perceive as attempts to impose Hindi or diminish the status of Kannada in the state. In this context, Nigam’s remarks—regardless of his intent—touched on sensitive cultural and political dynamics that extend beyond the immediate incident.
As the situation continues to develop, the focus remains on whether Nigam will issue the public apology demanded by Kannada organizations and what long-term impact this controversy might have on his relationship with Karnataka’s audience and film industry. The incident serves as a reminder of how language remains a powerful symbol of cultural identity in India’s diverse linguistic landscape, and how public figures must navigate these sensitivities with care.
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FAQs
During his performance at East Point College in Bengaluru on April 25-26, 2025, Sonu Nigam was interrupted by a student who demanded—in what the singer perceived as a threatening manner—that he sing in Kannada. Visibly upset by the tone of this request, Nigam paused his performance and made a controversial statement comparing the incident to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, saying: “This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam.
Please see who is standing before you.” While Nigam went on to express his love for Kannada music and culture, emphasizing that some of his best work has been in the Kannada language, it was this comparison between a language request and terrorism that sparked outrage.
This controversy reflects the deeply entrenched language politics in Karnataka, where Kannada identity is inextricably linked to cultural pride and regional autonomy. For decades, pro-Kannada organizations have advocated for the primacy of Kannada in education, government, and public life within the state, often pushing back against what they perceive as Hindi imposition from the central government.
The strong reaction to Sonu Nigam’s comments demonstrates how language remains a sensitive flashpoint capable of mobilizing significant public sentiment. Karnataka has a history of language activism dating back to pre-independence movements, with organizations like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike continuing this tradition by advocating for Kannada speakers’ rights.
