- By Aarushi Raina
- Sat, 03 May 2025 07:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sonu Nigam recently became embroiled in fresh controversy following his remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack during a concert in Bengaluru. His comment landed him in legal trouble. The controversy erupted after a fan in the audience requested him to sing a Kannada song. While Nigam expressed his affection for Kannadigas, he criticized the tone of the demand, calling it "rudely threatening." His subsequent comment referencing the Pahalgam's attack drew intense backlash from pro-Kannada groups, who argued that he inappropriately compared their language rights movement to terrorism. The incident has ignited a heated debate online. Amid the backlash, the singer has finally broken his silence and issued a clarification.
On Saturday, Sonu Nigam dropped a video message clarifying his reaction and what actually happened at his Bengaluru concert. In the clip, the singer can be heard saying, " There were 4-5 individuals who were shouting ‘Kannada Kannada’, while thousands of others including girls were stopping them, and asking them not to disturb the scene."
Revealing why he reacted that way, he stated, "Un paanchon ko ye batana aur yaad dilaana bohot zaroori tha ki, Pahalgam mein jab pant utaari gayi thi, tab bhaasha nahi puchhi gayi thi (It was very important to remind those five that when the pants were taken off in Pahalgam, no one asked about the language). There’s nothing like that. Everywhere, there are 4-5 such bad people, no matter which state they’re from. But it’s very important to remind them that you cannot let them threaten you, to make you sing. The whole world is doing it with love. When I come, I bring a one-hour set of Kannada songs. But those who provoke others, it’s very important to stop them right away. “Kyunki ye bawaseer ban jaate hain phir baad mein."
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Sonu stated that we should not let some people spread hatred. He also shared that they were not demanding but threatening him.
"If someone is sowing the seeds of hatred in the land of love, we need to stop them. Kannadigas are beautiful people, so please let’s not generalize them. There were just 4-5 boys who were looking at me angrily after I finished my first song. They weren’t demanding, they were threatening. You can ask people who were there," the singer added.
Sonu Nigam Bengaluru Concert Controvery
The incident took place during Nigam’s performance at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Virgonagar, Bengaluru, on April 25 and 26. Amid the demand for songs, a fan requested him to sing a Kannada song, Sonu declined and schooled him by stating it as a rude and threatening demand. In the viral video, he was seen addressing the audience and said, "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).”
His reference to the terror attack in Pahalgam, which took place on April 22 and claimed 26 lives of innocent civilians, sparked outrage. Following this, Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, has filed a police complaint against singer Sonu Nigam, stating his allegedly objectionable statements have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community.
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