Sonu Nigam Kannada Controversy: Karnataka High Court Orders ‘No Coercive Action’ Against The Bollywood Singer

In the Kannada controversial remark case, the Karnataka High Court has recently directed that ‘no coercive action’ must be taken against Sonu Nigam until the next hearing of the case. The HC stayed the filing of the final report in the singer’s case. As per reports, Additional State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadeesha told the court that ‘no coercive steps’ will be taken if the singer continues to cooperate with the legal proceedings and the police. After which, Sonu Nigam got an interim relief as of now. The singer had earlier moved to the Karnataka High Court seeking the removal of the case registered against him by the state government police. 

An FIR was registered against Sonu Nigam on May 3 for his controversial remark at a Bengaluru concert. The FIR was lodged at Avalahalli Police Station by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace or incite another offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 

Sonu Nigam Kannada Controversy Case

While performing at concert orgainised at Bengaluru’s East Point College in April, Sonu Nigam halted his performance to showcase his disappointment after a fan tried to threaten him to sing in Kannada language. The singer told the audience, “I have sung songs in all languages. But the best songs that I have sung in my life are Kannada songs. Main aapke beech mein jabbhi aata hoon bohut pyaar se aata hoon. Shows toh roz karte hain humlog, lekin jab kabhi bhi Karnataka mein kahi bhi shows hote hain hum bohut izzat se aate hai kyuki aap logo nein humien apna pariwaar maan hai (Whenever I come amid you, I come with so much love. We do shows every day, but whenever we do any shows anywhere in Karnataka, we come with respect, because you have made us your family).” 

“Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar, jitni uske umar nahi hogi use pehle toh main Kannada gaane garaha hoon (I didn't like the boy whose age, I have been singing Kannada songs before he was born). He was so rudely threatening me, 'Kannada, Kannada'. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo karrahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi? Dekho toh kaun saamne khada hai. I love Kannadigas, I love you guys (This is the reason what happened in Pahalgam. This is the reason, what you did just now. Look at first who is standing in front of you).” 

The video of Sonu Nigam’s statement went viral on social media. It hurted the sentiments of many people which led to controversy and then a case against the singer.