Playback singer Sonu Nigam has petitioned the Karnataka High Court to dismiss an FIR registered against him at Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru Rural. The FIR alleges that Nigam made comments during a concert that offended the sentiments of Kannada-speaking people.
The case was heard by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar of the vacation bench, who postponed proceedings to May 15. Meanwhile, police have summoned Nigam for questioning as investigations continue.
The controversy arose during a performance on April 25–26 at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru. In a viral video, Nigam was seen responding to an aggressive demand from a fan to sing in Kannada. The singer paused and said he felt “threatened,” referencing the Pahalgam terror attack while addressing the audience. He stated, “This is the reason for what happened in Pahalgam… what you did just now.”
The remark was seen by some as a negative portrayal of Kannadigas, sparking backlash. Nigam later issued a public apology, saying, “Sorry Karnataka,” and clarified that his intent was not to offend the Kannada community but to respond to disruptive behavior by a few individuals. He emphasized his longstanding respect for Kannada and his history of singing in the language.
Following the uproar, Kannada film director K Ramnarayan removed a song sung by Nigam from his upcoming movie Kuladalli Keelyavudo, stating, “An apology is not enough. There must be accountability.”
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