Bengaluru police summon Sonu Nigam over remarks at concert

BENGALURU: The Bengaluru Rural district police on Monday issued a notice to popular playback singer Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear before the investigation officer within a week.

This comes after an FIR was filed against Nigam on May 3 at the Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru Rural district for allegedly making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community during a music event in Bengaluru. The remarks were reportedly made on stage and were captured in a video that has since gone viral.

So now singing patriotic songs and expressing national pride is hurting sentiments?#SonuNigam didn’t insult anyone—he celebrated India.

If that’s a crime in Congress-ruled Karnataka, then it’s not Sonu who should explain—it’s the system that’s rotting.#IStandWithSonuNigam pic.twitter.com/we0v0MiZht

— 𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐥 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 (@Rahulk123d) May 3, 2025

The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A, president of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada group. The FIR includes charges under Sections 351(2), 352(1), and 353 of the Indian Penal Code.

The complaint accuses Sonu Nigam of making “objectionable and emotionally provocative” statements that have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and incited hatred among various linguistic communities in Karnataka. Meanwhile, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest against Nigam at Freedom Park in Bengaluru for his alleged anti-Kannada statement.

#WATCH | Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest against singer Sonu Nigam at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, for his alleged anti-Kannada statement. pic.twitter.com/va5EnWuQop

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2025

Last week, Nigam responded to the controversy, saying he had no intention to hurt anyone and was only performing. The singer took to social media to explain that a group of four to five individuals had caused disturbance during his event by shouting and threatening him to sing in Kannada.

Love you idolo, Sonu ji

Music should have no language barrier #SonuNigam
pic.twitter.com/8qP6kzwwPp

— 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁 (@saffronsentry) May 3, 2025

In a self-made video posted on his Instagram handle, Sonu Nigam said, “There were only 4-5 goons who were shouting. In fact, thousands of people were stopping them. I remember the girls were shouting at them, ‘Don’t disturb the scene.’ And it was very important to remind them that no one asked for the language when the pants were taken off in the Pahalgam incident… Kannadigas are very nice people. Don’t think there’s any wave or movement; there are always a few bad people everywhere. I’m sure of it”. (ANI)